Senior Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME

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 Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems SME

Onsite from MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL

Candidate must have a Top Secret (TS) Clearance with SCI eligibility

We are seeking a highly skilled and mission-focused Senior Manned/Unmanned Airborne Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) 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 for tracking, planning, troubleshooting, and coordinating all SATCOM-related functions. You’ll lead a team of professionals and collaborate with cross-functional units to resolve issues involving full 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 in mission 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
  
  

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
• Attend appropriate engineering, customer, or business meetings
  
  

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment

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.