Aerostat Operator I – ISR Platform Operations

About the role

The Aerostat Operator I provides Operations and Sustainment support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS‑T) program at OCONUS sites. Working with a tethered aerostat‑mounted ISR platform, the role involves launching, monitoring, recovering, and maintaining the system and its associated equipment.

Key responsibilities

• Execute launch, in‑flight, recovery and mooring procedures for the aerostat.
• Operate the PGSS/PTDS ISR platform, Mobile Mooring Platform, sensor payloads, communications and navigation systems.
• Use support equipment such as boom lifts, forklifts, all‑terrain vehicles and power generators.
• Perform user‑level maintenance including Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS), troubleshooting, and replacement of line‑replaceable units and payloads.
• Assist higher‑level technicians with fault detection, isolation and correction of hardware components.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate degree may substitute for experience.
• Active Secret US Government clearance and US citizenship.
• Valid US passport (minimum one year) and driver’s license.
• At least one year of aerostat experience or two years in related electrical maintenance roles.
• Two years of hands‑on operation and maintenance of aerostat or equivalent military systems, qualified at the 10 series level or higher.

Required skills

• Operation of 34M aerostat ISR platforms.
• Preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and LRU replacement.
• Use of hardware diagnostic tools, reading electronic schematics and PCB repair.
• Experience with boom lifts, forklifts, ATVs and generators.