Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Mission Systems
Useful technologies
LinuxTCP/IPVLANWindows
Preferred qualifications
CertificationsDoD 8140 IAT Level 2, IAM Level 1
Study levelBachelor's or higher
Original posting
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
Special Air Missions Group (SAM) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Mobility, and Aerial Firefighting (AFF) capabilities. SAM oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations. It manages fleet maintenance, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness. By consolidating expertise and infrastructure, SAM ensures Metrea’s airborne capabilities remain adaptable and mission-ready across dynamic operational environments.
Position Summary
The Senior Field Service Engineer is a technical specialist responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and lifecycle sustainment of airborne ISR mission systems. This role ensures continuous mission system readiness by performing hands-on troubleshooting, field-level repairs, and system validation. Working independently, the technician supports all aspects of mission equipment lifecycle management - including integration, software updates, and configuration control. This position is critical to delivering a reliable, high-performance ISR capability in support of real-world ISR operations.
Install, configure, and maintain airborne ISR mission systems, including EO/IR sensor systems, tactical radios, mission computers, radar systems, data link systems, video networks, moving map software, and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) equipment
Assist in workforce planning and management, maintaining deployed MST schedules, and interfacing with our deployed MSTs as their primary CONUS POC
Perform pre-mission system checks, field-level troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance to ensure mission readiness
Perform Windows and Linux system administration tasks, including scripting, log analysis, patch management, and user account management
Operate and interpret data from test equipment including spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers, and RF power meters to isolate faults and validate system performance
Configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP-based mission networks, including static routing, subnetting, VLAN tagging, and secure transport links
Diagnose and resolve faults across RF, power, and IP-based network interfaces using technical schematics, block diagrams, and support documentation
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
Maintain proper handling and accountability of Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) and mission-critical Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) components
Ensure compliance with safety, airworthiness, and operational security protocols during all maintenance and system support activities
Provide detailed technical feedback and field reports to support root cause analysis, continuous improvement, and lifecycle sustainment planning
Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support mission success, while leveraging clear written and verbal communication to articulate technical capabilities, limitations, support requirements, and areas for innovation
What You Bring
Minimum 8 years supporting airborne ISR mission systems, with direct integration or modification experience preferred
Strong understanding of RF signal paths, IP networking concepts, and mission system interdependencies
Experience executing software loads, firmware updates, and configuration changes in controlled baseline environments
Ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and integration drawings
Proficient in RF test equipment usage (spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analyzers, & RF power meters)
Strong working knowledge of radar fundamentals (GMTI, SAR, MMTI, Weather)
Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree or 12 years of relevant experience
Bachelor’s degree plus 8 years of relevant experience
DoD 8140 IAT Level 2 – IAM Level 1.
Experience mentoring or leading small technical teams
Must be capable of operating independently with minimal oversight
Experience with configuration management principles and airworthiness approval processes
Demonstrated systems thinking and ability to evaluate second- and third-order impacts of decisions
Must demonstrate professional maturity, sound judgment, and leadership potential
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
Clearance required at time of hire: Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment
AAP/EEO Statement
This Company is 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
This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.
Work Environment
This job operates in an office and hangar setting.
Travel
Up to 15% OCONUS travel
Up to 15% CONUS travel
Base Pay Range
The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.
Pay Range$125,000—$135,000 USD
Our Firmware
At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.
Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.