Full-Time

Joint Operations Center Watch Specialist

Watch Specialist

Updated on 8/1/2026

Deadline 8/1/27
 MAG Aerospace

MAG Aerospace

1,001-5,000 employees

Operates ISR aircraft and UAS services

Compensation Overview

$80.5k - $149.5k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

Fort Bliss, TX, USA + 1 more

More locations: Tucson, AZ, USA

In Person

Up to 10% travel may be required, including possible overnight stays and travel to listed domestic and international locations.

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)

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Requirements
  • Must be proficient in using computers and other technologies, tools, and systems pertinent to the position.
  • An Associate degree from an accredited college or university is required.
  • A minimum of three years of experience supporting military or government operations within a Joint Operations Center, Tactical Operations Center, Command Center, Intelligence Watch Floor, or similar operational environment is required.
  • Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered where applicable.
  • Experience managing multiple operational tasks while maintaining situational awareness in a high-tempo environment.
  • Experience preparing intelligence reports, operational summaries, or command briefings.
  • Working knowledge of Intelligence Community directives, intelligence reporting standards, and intelligence tradecraft.
  • A current and active Department of Defense Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance is required.
  • An active passport is required to support overseas travel and/or living requirements.
  • The position requires the ability to meet applicable physical and medical requirements.
Responsibilities
  • Monitor classified and unclassified intelligence reporting related to operational activities and emerging threats.
  • Maintain continuous situational awareness of ongoing operations and provide timely updates to command leadership.
  • Monitor Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations and provide operational direction to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance assets as required.
  • Produce intelligence reports, operational summaries, and situational updates in accordance with Intelligence Community standards and tradecraft.
  • Support the Common Operational Picture by integrating operational, intelligence, and mission data from multiple command systems.
  • Track Requests for Information from subordinate, adjacent, and higher headquarters and ensure timely coordination and response.
  • Collect, analyze, and synthesize operational information from multiple classified and unclassified sources to support command decision-making.
  • Maintain operational metrics, mission databases, and reporting systems to support operational assessments and leadership reporting.
  • Monitor and manage multiple operational networks, mission systems, and data management applications supporting Joint Operations Center activities.
  • Prepare and deliver written and verbal operational briefings to command leadership and higher headquarters.
  • Produce official operational messages, mission requirements, Fragmentary Orders, and other command communications.
  • Maintain and safeguard operational information across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and other classified systems while ensuring compliance with security and classification requirements.
  • Utilize intelligence tools, including Maven Smart System, Open-Source Intelligence resources, and other mission systems, to enhance operational awareness.
  • Travel between work locations, including company offices, customer sites, and government installations, as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience supporting the United States Special Operations Command, United States Northern Command, Joint Task Forces, Special Mission Units, or Joint Interagency organizations.
  • Experience as a Joint Operations Center Watch Officer, Operations Specialist, Intelligence Watch Officer, or Command Center operator.
  • Familiarity with Maven Smart System and other Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance exploitation tools.
  • Experience utilizing Open-Source Intelligence platforms and classified intelligence systems.
  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Tactical Controller Certification or equivalent operational Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience briefing senior military leadership.
  • Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, supporting 24/7 operations.

MAG Aerospace provides aerial surveillance and situational awareness services using a fleet of over 200 manned and unmanned aircraft. The company operates and maintains these aircraft while integrating communication and intelligence systems to collect and deliver real-time data to federal, international, and commercial clients. Unlike many competitors that focus solely on hardware or software, MAG manages the entire process from flight operations and maintenance to technical training and global mission support. Its goal is to enhance the operational effectiveness of its customers by providing a complete, end-to-end solution for gathering and analyzing information from the air.

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

  • Space Force analytics work expands into Joint All-Domain Command and Control.
  • Specialty aviation niches like wildfire, law enforcement, and rescue deepen recurring demand.
  • AI-enabled airborne surveillance partnerships can become new commercial ISR products.

What critics are saying

  • Defense contract recompetes or protests can remove major Space Force revenue.
  • Fleet grounding, maintenance failures, or accidents immediately halt ISR delivery.
  • Prime contractors can bundle similar capabilities and squeeze MAG into subcontractor status.

What makes MAG Aerospace unique

  • Operates 200+ manned and unmanned special mission aircraft globally.
  • Combines ISR operations with C5ISR integration, training, and technical services.
  • Supports federal, international, civilian, and commercial customers across six continents.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Professional Development Budget

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Work Hours

Company News

MAG Aerospace
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.