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MAG Aerospace

ISR aviation services with manned/unmanned aircraft

ATHENA Airborne Sensor Operator

Part-TimeUpdated on 10/15/2026Deadline 8/19/27
$70k - $130k/yr
Junior
Oklahoma, USA
In PersonRequires deployments of up to 90 days to OCONUS locations and travel to CONUS locations.
Vehicle Operation & Delivery
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Have at least three years of experience or 700 flight hours as an aircrew member on a military or government intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance contract aircraft.
  • Have experience and an intimate understanding of Joint Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance tactics, techniques, and procedures.
  • Have prior internal aircraft, air-to-air, and air-to-ground communications experience.
  • Possess a current Federal Aviation Administration Class II or III Medical Certificate issued within six months of the employment start date.
  • Possess a United States passport valid for 12 months after the employment start date and be able to travel internationally.
  • Have current physiological training or altitude chamber training, or proof of prior completion.
  • Possess crew resource management skills and be able to apply operational risk management principles.
  • Maintain working relationships with the tasking authority, local officials, customer on-site representatives, and crew members.
  • Be willing to deploy for rotations of up to 90 days to various outside-the-continental-United-States operating locations as directed by the Government.
  • Demonstrate interpretation and analysis experience using synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator and electronic intelligence sensors, and produce post-mission products using Microsoft Office.
  • Be able to travel to various continental United States locations for training.
  • Be willing to work long or non-regular hours with minimal notice.
  • Be able to proficiently operate assigned sensors while airborne for extended periods.
  • Be willing to work and execute airborne missions in hardship and hazardous locations.
  • Be fully deployable according to the theater entry requirements of AFRICOM, EUCOM, INDOPACOM, and CENTCOM.
  • Be a United States citizen.
  • Have an active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access.
  • Be able to pass a counterintelligence polygraph.
  • Have at least a high school diploma.
  • Be willing to fly on aircraft for extended periods.
  • Successfully complete a deployment physical examination, including immunizations.
  • Be willing and able to remain on duty for extended periods as mission dictates.
  • Be willing to work in hardship and hazardous locations.
  • Be willing to share billeting accommodations with multiple members.
  • Adhere to applicable United Nations and company regulations.
  • Maintain a flexible travel schedule, including travel to austere environments.
  • Be willing to travel for long periods and work long or non-regular hours with minimal notice.
Responsibilities
  • Execute assigned preflight, flight, and post-flight duties to safely and effectively operate assigned sensors and mission sets.
  • Plan missions, conduct pre-briefings, inspect and operate mission systems, troubleshoot equipment, perform post-flight inspections, conduct debriefings, prepare and distribute intelligence products, and document missions.
  • Perform mission planning and operational support for customer requirements.
  • Conduct flight following in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility and maintain communications with the aircraft during all phases of flight via mIRC chat or beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications.
  • Support review or development of collection decks, Air Tasking Orders, Special Instructions, Air Coordination Orders, and other documents relevant to major joint air, ground, and maritime operations.
  • Develop and deliver mission briefings, execute mission debriefings, and compile after-action reports as required.
  • Maintain familiarity with all aspects of operation and employment of mission equipment.
  • Provide guidance and training to less experienced personnel.
  • Conduct real-time layered analysis of data from a variety of collection assets and deliver intelligence products during combat and sustainment operations.
  • Control sensors and communicate sensor information to ground force commanders during decisive operations.
  • Consult with program engineers as required to plan and execute operations consistent with operational capabilities.
  • Understand system operation and employment tactics, techniques, and procedures to optimize system employment.
  • Provide support to management as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • United States Army experience is preferred.
  • Five years of experience as a Navy SS-3/EWO/Special Projects operator (P-3C, P-8A), ECMO/WSO (EA-6B, EA-18G), EP-3E LABOP or EWOP, or Mission Commander is preferred.
  • Air Force EWO/WSO experience (RC-135, EC-130 Compass Call) or Air Force/Navy Air Battle Manager experience (AWACS, E-2C/D) is preferred.
  • Graduation from military technical training courses such as Electronic Warfare Officer, Navy Aviation Electronic Warfare School, Air Battle Manager, or Airborne Early Warning School, or qualification as an Airborne Sensor Operator in the U.S. Military or on prior Department of Defense contracted aircraft, is preferred.
  • Experience in aircraft and sensor test and evaluation and sensor integration is preferred.
  • Experience with international operations is preferred.

About the company

MAG Aerospace provides and enables technology for real-time situational understanding by operating and maintaining both manned fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned systems that deliver ISR capabilities. It also offers chartered fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft services for missions worldwide. The company runs over 200 aircraft, 30+ Operations Centers, and a team of about 1,700 professionals serving government, international, civilian, and commercial customers under long-term contracts for operation, maintenance, and technical services, plus C5ISR integration, training, and support. MAG differentiates itself through its integrated mix of manned and unmanned ISR platforms, global reach, and end-to-end aviation and technical services aimed at improving clients' situational awareness and operational effectiveness.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Woodbridge, Virginia

Founded

2009

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • MAG won the $151B SHIELD IDIQ on January 13, 2026, broadening missile-defense exposure.
  • MAG secured the $249M NAWCAD SCI MAC in 2025, reinforcing Navy customer depth.
  • Leadership hires like Chris Pateras on February 28, 2026 strengthen growth and Latin America execution.

What critics are saying

  • GAO denied MAG's February 2, 2026 protest, handing ManTech the $96.5M NetMod contract.
  • MAG's protest losses show weaker recompete performance against ManTech and other incumbents.
  • A failed task-order win cycle in 2026 can erode Army trust and future RS3 awards.

What makes MAG Aerospace unique

  • MAG Aerospace combines ISR aviation, C5ISR integration, and classified systems engineering.
  • MAG won the $151B SHIELD IDIQ on January 13, 2026, signaling deep Pentagon access.
  • MAG's aircraft fleet and 30-plus operations centers support deployed, real-time mission execution.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Professional Development Budget

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

M&A Aero
Feb 28th, 2026
Chris Pateras Joins MAG

Chris Pateras joins MAG. 28February 2026 MAG Aerospace, a premier innovator of defense technology solutions that enable decision superiority, is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Pateras as Vice President for Strategy, Growth, and Operations. Chris joins MAG Aerospace with more than 30 years of Special Operations experience and 25 years of deep, on-the-ground engagement throughout Latin America. Over the course of his career, he has supported complex security cooperation initiatives, counter-narcotics operations, counterterrorism efforts, and partner force development across the region. His extensive regional expertise, combined with decades of operational leadership in high-risk, dynamic environments, positions him to make an immediate impact within the organization. Throughout his distinguished career in Special Operations, Pateras has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to mission success, strategic planning, and building enduring partnerships. His 25 years working across Latin America and elsewhere strengthened interoperability with allied forces, enhanced regional security collaboration, and advanced U.S. national security objectives. In his new role, Pateras will contribute to advancing MAG's defense technology solutions to enable customers to gain a decision advantage across the globe.

Lifecare News
Apr 30th, 2025
Gogo confirms outstanding Plane Simple ESA flight test campaign

Gogo worked with MAG Aerospace, a premier innovator of defense technology, to rigorously test gate-to-gate continuous operations through all planned maneuvers, including standard taxi, take-off, and landing, as well as more challenging racetrack, figure-of-eight patterns, ascent/descent profiles, and hard bank movements up to 30 degrees.

TipRanks
Oct 1st, 2024
Zapata AI partners with MAG Aerospace for airborne surveillance platform

Zapata AI announced the first commercial agreement of its partnership with MAG Aerospace.

PR Newswire
Sep 6th, 2023
Sas Supports Mag Aerospace On $900M Space Force Contract

Joint pursuit of Space Systems Command opportunities are part of broader efforts to enable advanced data analytics at the tactical space edgeCARY, N.C., Sept. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global analytics leader SAS and MAG Aerospace are teaming up to pursue opportunities from the recently awarded US Space Force Space Systems Command $900 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. SAS and MAG Aerospace will bring expertise in AI, analytics and Joint All-Domain Command and Control to the space realm, enabling the Space Force to analyze and use all the data coming in from its vast network of radars and sensors.Space Force tracking radars and other sensors produce incredible amounts of data from thousands of locations Tweet this MAG Aerospace is a leader in delivering Full-Spectrum Joint Domain Command and Control Services to the US government As part of a $900 million US Space Force IDIQ contract, SAS and MAG Aerospace will bring expertise in AI, analytics and Joint All-Domain Command and Control to the space realm, enabling the Space Force to analyze and use all the data coming in from its vast network of radars and sensors.The Space Systems Command IDIQ contract is in support of Space Command and Control (C2). Space Force tracking radars and other sensors produce incredible amounts of data from thousands of locations. Last year, the Space Command tracked more than 47,000 objects in space. There is a critical need to convert this proliferation of diverse sensor data accurately and rapidly into usable, real-time intelligence for mission success

GovCon Wire
Aug 18th, 2023
Former IronNet Exec Melissa Logsdon Joins MAG Aerospace as Chief HR Officer

Melissa Logsdon, former chief people officer at IronNet Cybersecurity, has been appointed chief human resources officer at MAG Aerospace.