Senior Airborne Systems SME Position Available In Hillsborough, Florida

Senior Airborne Systems SME DRS Global United States, Florida, Tampa 5850 West Cypress Street (Show on map) Jun 16, 2025 SES Space & Defense is a trusted partner ensuring mission success for our customers by blanketing the globe with multi orbit end to end satellite and technology solutions which provide reliable, secure, and high bandwidth connectivity. We strive to be the only solution when success is critical, and we will take care of our employees because we recognize they are our competitive advantage.

The SES S&D Team, along with our customers and partners, will achieve success through integrity, honor, and commitment. Senior Airborne Systems SME
Onsite from MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly skilled and mission-focused Senior Airborne Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME), Manned/Unmanned, to lead and support advanced satellite communications (SATCOM) operations for both manned and unmanned airborne platforms. This senior-level role is critical to ensuring seamless communication and data transport across complex airborne systems, directly supporting national security and defense operations. As a Tier 3 expert, you will be responsible fortracking, planning, troubleshooting, and coordinatingall SATCOM-related functions. You’ll lead a team of professionals and collaborate with cross-functional units to resolve issues involvingfull motion video (FMV), sensor data transport, and unit-level support. Your expertise will be instrumental in optimizing SATCOM network utilization and ensuring mission readiness. In this dynamic role, you will also participate inmission planning, operational support, technical conferences, and documentation development. Flexibility is key, as you may be called upon to address high-priority issues outside of standard working hours via phone support.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Support and lead Manned & Unmanned SATCOM systems troubleshooting for the purpose of operational support
Provide subject matter expertise to AISR management center and government personnel
Perform site surveys and assist in the development of aircraft and Regional Ground Entry Point (RGEP) operations
Act as an operation lead, representing Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems interests for enterprise upgrades and changes during Information Planning Team (IPT) meetings
Prepare and review applicable Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems aircraft documentation with reference to SATCOM networks and systems
Verify technical equipment specifications to ensure all new and existing aircraft follow policies and procedures set by

USSOCOM J6

policy
Coordinate with supported organizations to ensure all new and existing aircraft follow

AISR SATCOM

policies and procedures set by USSOCOM
Travel to sites, if necessary, for planning, implementation, or troubleshooting of Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems platforms.
Participate in the research, evaluation, and selection of new technologies
Support training of AISR management center personnel
Prepare reports documenting utilization levels, failure rates or other statistical reports as directed.
Review documentation for Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems operations perspective and interests, ensuring accuracy and that Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems equity stakes are represented
Analyze complex communication systems, including planning, designing, evaluating, selecting operating systems and protocol suites and configuring communication media with concentrators, bridges and other devices
Resolve difficult interoperability problems to obtain operation across all platforms including e-mail, files transfer, multimedia, teleconferencing and the like
Configure systems to user environments
Support acquisition of hardware and software as well as subcontractor services
May act as a technical project leader or provide work leadership for lower-level employees
May provide written technical descriptions and contribute to the development of technical solutions in support of proposal efforts
Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
Attend appropriate engineering, customer, or business meetings

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of experience or relevant combination of education and/or experience
SME level knowledge of the MQ-9, MQ-1A, MQ-1B, and/or MQ-1C platforms and Ground Control Systems
Candidate must have a Top Secret (TS) Clearance with SCI eligibility
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively in a team-oriented environment
Ability to successfully interact with other IT professionals and end-users
Strong analytic and problem-solving skills
Open and responsive to change and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement by identifying and responding actively with sensitivity to the needs of all Customers The starting base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000.00 – $140,000.00 + bonus + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.#LI-Onsite #LI-DR1