OverviewThe CUAS Operator/Technician sets up, operates, maintains, and integrates government-furnished CUAS equipment supporting protective operations. The role provides turn-key RF spectrum analysis and deconfliction, performs equipment setup, verification, and take-down at designated sites, maintains equipment in a constant state of readiness for immediate activation, conducts real-time system health monitoring and troubleshooting, and integrates CUAS detection, tracking, and mitigation data with client command-and-control systems. This event-based role requires domestic and international travel and the ability to support 24/7 operational coverage.
Work Location: Washington, DC with ability to travel nationwide in support of protection events; event-based onsite support required.
Work Arrangement: Onsite/event-based support with potential 24/7 operational coverage.
Clearance: U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain required federal suitability or security clearance as required for the assignment.
Responsibilities
- Deliver turn-key 24/7 RF spectrum analysis for each protective mission; conduct RF deconfliction to optimize CUAS equipment placement and minimize interference with mission-critical communications.
- Deploy, set up, verify, and maintain proper operation of government-furnished CUAS equipment at designated operational sites, including real-time system health monitoring and troubleshooting.
- Dismantle and securely store CUAS equipment following each event, ensuring all assets are maintained in a state of readiness for rapid redeployment.
- Maintain CUAS systems in a continuous stand-by posture, ready for immediate activation upon client request; monitor for and respond to unauthorized drone activity in real time.
- Integrate CUAS equipment and data feeds with client command-and-control infrastructure to enable coordinated detection, tracking, and mitigation of aerial threats.
- Support secure, encrypted communications and data transmission; implement secure authentication and access controls in accordance with federal cybersecurity standards.
- Conduct interoperability testing with client IT personnel prior to each operation to validate connectivity, data distribution, and integration with applicable command-and-control platforms.
- Perform preventive and corrective maintenance; manage spare parts, repair services, and logistics to sustain uninterrupted mission capability.
- Provide on-site or remote IT support during protection events to troubleshoot and resolve network or integration issues in real time.
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time, work in adverse weather, climb ladders, work on rooftops, and lift 50 lbs. unassisted.
- Maintain documentation of maintenance activities, system performance, incident logs, after-action reviews, and network configuration, integration, and troubleshooting guides for client review.
- Participate in advance planning meetings, pre-operation briefings, and post-operation debriefings with client stakeholders.
- Adhere to all client security protocols, information-handling requirements, and applicable federal IT and cybersecurity standards.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Ability to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the position; sponsorship may be available for qualified personnel as needed.
- Experience with CUAS detection, tracking, and mitigation systems, RF spectrum analysis, and/or RF deconfliction.
- Experience deploying, setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting electronic, RF, or C-UAS systems in field/operational environments.
- Experience with secure network connectivity, encrypted data transmission, and integration with command-and-control systems.
- Ability to complete required client- or government-provided training within the established qualification period.
- Ability to travel nationwide and internationally and support variable schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and 24/7 event coverage.
- Strong troubleshooting, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to work independently in high-pressure environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Electronics technician background or equivalent formal technical training.
- Military or federal CUAS, SIGINT, electronic warfare (EW), or RF/communications systems experience.
- Experience with secure command-and-control, situational awareness, or tactical data-distribution systems.
- Manufacturer or platform-specific CUAS certifications.
- Prior experience supporting federal protective services, public safety operations, high-security missions, or large-scale special events.
- Active Top Secret clearance.
Performance Standards
- 100% coverage during all designated protection periods.
- Continuous stand-by readiness with immediate activation upon client request.
- Successful integration and operation with applicable client systems for every designated mission or event.
- Full compliance with all applicable laws, client directives, security requirements, and IT and cybersecurity standards.
Salary: $100,000 -$150,000
Additional benefits include:
- Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Pre-Tax 401K and/or After-Tax Roth IRA (with employer matching contribution)
- Tuition and Technical Training Reimbursement
- Wellness Benefit
- Tech Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and standard office equipment
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer workThe employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
- Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding)
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Exposure to general office conditions while conducting office duties
- Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)
- Ability to work in a confined area
- Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period
