Aerostat Operator – ISR Platform Specialist

About the role

The Aerostat Operator provides Operations and Sustainment support for Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS‑T) at OCONUS sites. The role involves hands‑on operation of an aerostat‑mounted ISR platform, including launch, in‑flight, recovery, and mooring activities.

Key responsibilities

• Operate the aerostat system, Mobile Mooring Platform, sensor payloads, communications and navigation equipment.
• Perform launch, in‑flight monitoring, recovery, and mooring procedures.
• Conduct user‑level maintenance: preventative maintenance checks, troubleshooting, LRU replacement, and payload changes.
• Operate support equipment such as boom lifts, forklifts, ATVs, and electrical power generators.
• Work under direction of senior technicians and site personnel.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate’s degree in a technical field may substitute for experience.
• Active U.S. Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship required) and a valid passport with at least one year remaining.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• At least one year of aerostat experience or two years in related electrical maintenance roles.
• Experience with hardware system operation, fault detection, isolation, and correction.

Required skills

• Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS)
• Troubleshooting of hardware systems
• Line Replaceable Units (LRU) replacement
• Payload handling and replacement
• Boom lift operation
• Forklift operation
• All‑Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operation
• Electrical power generator operation
• Hardware configuration and diagnostics
• Use of hardware/software diagnostic testing tools
• Reading electronic circuit schematics
• Printed circuit board repair