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Remote Sensor Operator
Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
19 August 2026 (12 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
18 November 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
To conduct remote sensor operations for manned airborne and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) missions providing proficient and independent operation of Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) radar and associated mission systems. The role supports Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasking through effective mission planning sensor employment near real-time reporting data handling and post-mission exploitation. The post holder is expected to operate at Intermediate / Proficient Operator standard and support RPAS payload activity trials training and evidence capture where required.
Key Responsibilities
Mission Planning and Execution
- Prepare for airborne and RPAS tasks through review of tasking Air Tasking Orders route airspace collection requirements customer outputs and crew briefings.
- Operate independently on a variety of land maritime surveillance and reconnaissance missions making tactical sensor decisions and managing mission flow without constant supervision.
- Receive and action dynamic tasking from ground command elements adapting search patterns sensor priorities and reporting flow as the situation develops.
- Conduct clear handovers crew briefings and post-flight debriefings ensuring risks collection gaps and task outcomes are understood.
Advanced Sensor Operation and Troubleshooting
- Operate sensor systems to collect still imagery full motion video and track moving targets for extended periods.
- Conduct Hailing Phase 1 PED Imagery Intelligence pattern of life surveillance reconnaissance and target tracking tasks to required customer and mission standards.
- Use sensor functions to maximise collection quality including appropriate zoom focus gain polarity metadata look angle and image framing.
- Troubleshoot common sensor ground station communications downlink display recording and data transfer issues before escalating.
Data Reporting and Exploitation
- Store back up label and disseminate raw mission data in line with company procedures and customer handling requirements.
- Produce clear oral and written reports including near real-time updates and post-mission flight reports with accurate timings coordinates and event summaries.
- Support Level 1 Processing Exploitation and Dissemination (PED) by manipulating processing and analysing digital aerial imagery and spatial data.
- Extract Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) and report it using recognised standards
- Maintain accurate mission records flight logs and evidence packs to support quality assurance customer reporting and future tasking.
RPAS and Remote Mission Systems
- Operate or support RPAS payload systems from a ground control station remote sensor console or deployable mission system environment.
- Work effectively with remote pilots payload operators aircrew Task Specialists intelligence analysts and liaison officers to maintain a shared tactical picture.
- Contribute to RPAS trials payload integration procedure development and evidence capture.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
- Confident independent operator able to manage the sensor task mission flow and reporting chain without close supervision.
- Strong tactical judgement able to balance collection quality aircraft or RPAS constraints safety and customer priorities.
- Clear communicator with effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) awareness concise radio/chat discipline and good briefing/debriefing skills.
- Calm under pressure able to troubleshoot equipment and communications issues without losing the mission picture.
- High attention to detail especially when capturing imagery coordinates metadata logs and customer reporting outputs.
- Adaptable and comfortable working in live operations deployed sites remote ground stations and mixed crew environments.
- Mature and discreet around sensitive mission data customer information aircraft RPA systems and operating areas.
- Able to mentor junior operators reinforce standards and support training or procedure updates where required.
- Forward leaning and practical identifying improvements in sensor employment data workflows reporting quality and RPA payload procedures.
Benefits
Company pension contribution up to 4%
Octopus EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Bupa Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Annual Leave Purchase
Cycle 2 Work
Free flu vaccination voucher
Perbox platform
Octopus EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Bupa Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Annual Leave Purchase
Cycle 2 Work
Free flu vaccination voucher
Perbox platform
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
DEA and our sister company ESAO are a world leading specialist technology-led provider of complex aerial data acquisition services. A pioneer in airborne data gathering, DEA/ESAO use ground-breaking techniques and the most advanced and innovative technologies in the industry to help y ... View more
