Airborne SIGINT SME

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.

Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service – spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack – from the lab to the field – we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Group Overview

Electromagnetic and Cyber Group (EM&C) is responsible for developing flexible and survivable advanced electronic warfare and secure communications equipment while providing the industry’s leading signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyber experts. Metrea specializes in signal classification, direction finding, advanced geolocation techniques, and waveform development including waveforms for MANET and LPI/LPD applications. Metrea also develops special purpose radios for government customers and licenses DF and geolocation solutions to multiple OEMs.

Position Summary

This role is primarily responsible for providing Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) expertise and operation-al support to U.S. government missions overseas. The Airborne SIGINT Operator (SME) serves as a key liaison for airborne ISR operations, integrating across airborne platforms, ground elements, and national-level resources to support mission planning, execution, and optimization. Additional responsibilities may include serving as a SIGINT systems maintainer, airborne operator, liaison officer, collection manager, and instructor on SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW) technologies, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). When not deployed, this role may also support MSO training and exercise events, including classroom instruction, on a voluntary basis.

What You'll Do

Conduct 90-day rotational deployments ensuring consistent delivery and operational excellence across various regional sites

Serve as a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) SME and liaison supporting airborne ISR operations for U.S. government missions, advising on SCONOPS, mission planning, and SI/EW tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)

Provide mission integration support between airborne ISR platforms, ground elements, and national/theater-level resources

Install, configure, and maintain airborne SIGINT mission systems, including RF receivers, transmitters, processors, antennas, and associated cabling

Perform pre-mission system checks, field-level troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance to ensure mission readiness

Conduct system software loads, firmware updates, and configuration management in accordance with program baselines and security requirements

Support integration and validation of new hardware or software packages in coordination with engineering and sustainment teams

Ensure compliance with safety, airworthiness, and operational security protocols during all maintenance and system support activities

Deliver technical and operational expertise to enhance SIGINT collection, analysis, and mission effectiveness in dynamic environments

Advise, mentor, and train personnel on SIGINT/EW systems, capabilities, and operational employment

Maintain proficiency in current and emerging SIGINT/EW technologies, systems, and TTPs

Support CONUS-based classroom and exercise-based instruction on RF theory, communications technologies, airborne ISR/SIGINT operations, and advanced TTPs on a volunteer basis

What You Bring

SME-level expertise in Signals Intelligence operations, systems, and TTPs

Experience coordinating airborne ISR/SIGINT missions and interfacing with national-level resources

Experience conducting airborne SIGINT operations on ISR platforms is advantageous

Comfortable operating across both airborne and ground-based roles as mission requirements evolve

Strong technical foundation in RF theory, Linux, networking, antenna employment, and relevant protocols (HF/VHF/UHF, DMR, GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, 802.11)

Familiarity with U.S. GOTS airborne SIGINT systems and their operational employment

Ability to integrate emerging technologies into operational use

Strong initiative and ability to operate independently in deployed or austere environments

Effective communication skills, including the ability to advise senior stakeholders and serve as a liaison across organizations

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of Signals Intelligence experience, including 180+ days of deployed operational SIGINT support

Prior active-duty U.S. military service with Honorable Discharge (DD214 required)

Demonstrated experience coordinating airborne ISR/SIGINT missions and working with national-level assets

Deep operational proficiency with advanced RF collection systems (e.g., SCEPTRE, DRT, LANShark, Spectrum Guard), including configuration, tuning, and failure diagnosis

LINUX fundamentals training

Security+ or equivalent certification

Mode 1/2/3/5/6 airborne operator certifications (preferred)

Mode Instructor or I/E certifications (preferred)

FCC Amateur Radio Technician License

Benefits

Comprehensive medical plan options

HSA/FSA accounts

Dental and vision coverage

6% employer 401(k) match

Fully paid parental leave for all new parents

Generous PTO

Life and disability insurance

Long-term and Short-term disability coverage

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Must be a U.S. citizen

Valid Driver's License

Clearance required at time of hire: Active TS clearance with eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI clearance is required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment. Candidates will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements

Position may require passing a government-administered background check

Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea Spectrum Operations LLC an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

The daily working hours for this position vary Monday through Sunday. Hours and work shifts may vary in accordance with business needs. This role will be scheduled to forward deploy/work approximately 90 days OCONUS followed by rotation off-site for approximately 90 days. Rotation schedule may be adjusted to meet program requirements.

Work Envir