POSITION DESCRIPTION Airborne LiDAR Sensor Operator/Technician 

Job Title: Airborne LiDAR Sensor Operator/Technician 

Reports to: Director of Flight Operations/Lead Sensor Operator

Classification: Exempt

Time Commitment: Rotational 

Location: Bogota, Colombia

Position Summary

The Airborne LiDAR Sensor Operator/Technician serves as a primary flight crew member aboard a special-mission ISR aircraft, operating and monitoring a wide-area, single-photon (Geiger-mode) foliage-penetrating LiDAR sensor and its associated navigation systems throughout each collection sortie. The Operator manages in-flight sensor configuration, collection, and quality assurance, and processes and validates the resulting three-dimensional point-cloud data to ensure high-fidelity geospatial information reaches supported stakeholders. The Operator also troubleshoots and services the LiDAR sensor and associated onboard mission equipment to sustain mission readiness, and interfaces with customer representatives on system testing and operations. This is an OCONUS, rotational position requiring the ability to operate both independently and as an integrated member of the aircrew.

Essential Functions

• Initialize, operate, and monitor the LiDAR laser-scanning unit, single-photon detector array, and integrated navigation (GNSS/INS) systems during flight operations, while maintaining collection parameters and sensor alignment.
• Perform in-flight quality control of collected point-cloud data, verifying area coverage, point density, and georeferencing accuracy, and identify collection gaps or anomalies affecting mission products.
• Manage onboard storage, downloading, and transfer of high-volume LiDAR datasets to authorized ground exploitation teams.
• Prepare and deliver verbal communications, such as crew briefings and post-mission debriefings, and written communications, including data-collection logs and equipment performance reports.
• Must be self-motivated and a strong technical leader capable of effectively monitoring and communicating tactical collection objectives. 
• Shall serve as a technical expert for onboard systems and foster relationships with ground analysis teams. 
• Demonstrates superior writing and presentation skills to develop mission status updates and technical troubleshooting logs for stakeholders and aviation programs. 
• Maintains and complies with security procedures in the performance of duties. 
• May provide direction, training, and assistance to other project staff as a senior expert. 
• Act as a point of contact for mission equipment or aircraft maintenance personnel. 
• Keep lists of system faults or software anomalies related to the sensor payload. 
• Facilitate testing and cooperation among aircrew, maintenance technicians, and ground analysts. 
• Identify and resolve communication issues among these groups. 
• Collaborate with the necessary constituents and the flight crew. 
• Conduct post-mission reviews and reporting.

Skills Required

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in aviation and ISR sensor operations.
• Experience with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
• Knowledge of IMINT, GEOINT, and LiDAR capabilities, to include single-photon (Geiger-mode) and/or foliage-penetration LiDAR, three-dimensional point-cloud data, and GNSS/INS-based georeferencing.
• Experience with LiDAR collection, point-cloud data quality control, and LiDAR post-processing or exploitation tools.
• Experience managing mission flight lines and data capture.
• Proficiency with flight management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience coordinating data capture between aircrew and mission staff.
• Knowledge of Airspace Control Orders and Air Tasking Orders.
• Intelligence Community background to include imagery analysis or geospatial collection management.
• Experience with communication security (COMSEC) handling procedures.

Skills Preferred

• Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System (APACS).
• Mission planning software experience.
• Understanding of real-time data ingestion and processing.
• Experience supporting intelligence fusion centers.
• Knowledge of regional geopolitical atmospheres.
• Qualified Aircrew Member status.

Education 

• High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education 

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Experience supporting airborne ISR missions as a qualified crewmember. 
• Familiarity with regional aviation operations centers or fusion cells.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess an active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access.
• Must be able to maintain government eligibility requirements.
• Meet regional entry requirements for deployment.
• Must have a valid U.S. passport with no less than six months remaining.
• Must be willing and able to deploy OCONUS.
• Must be willing and able to work irregular hours in a military environment.
• Minimum of three years of experience in geopolitical or deployment roles.
• Minimum of ten years of total experience in aviation and ISR.
• Minimum of seven years of experience with ISR Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
• Minimum of seven years of experience with IMINT and LiDAR capabilities.

Travel 

• Travel and rotational deployment throughout the United States and to locations outside the United States, including austere locations, are required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a variety of physical conditions, including austere conditions.
• Ability to wear respirators or other required safety equipment.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.

AIRTEC Benefits Overview-FTE 

• Competitive Pay.
• Medical Insurance with HSA Savings Account (Individual/Families).
• Dental Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
• Vision Insurance (Individual 100% Paid/Families).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Voluntary Life Insurance.
• Elective Group Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Insurance.
• 401(k) 5% Safe Harbor and Profit-Sharing Program with Employee Participation.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care).
• Paid Time Off (Safe/Sick Leave).
• College Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Training.
• Education Recognition Bonus Program.

AIRtec, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.