Senor/ RF Technician (Hybrid- Annapolis, MD) at Fairwinds Technologies, L

, Maryland, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

02 Jun, 26

Salary

121000.0

Posted On

04 Mar, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

RF Detection, Radar, EO/IR, C2 Software Integration, Network Backhaul, Spectrum Management, RF Surveys, Test Range Operations, Troubleshooting, IP Networking, SELC Documentation, UAS Live-Fly Support, Spectrum Record-Keeping, RMF Evidence Capture, Configuration Management, Time Sync

Industry

Defense and Space Manufacturing

Description

Sensor/RF Technician – DHS Counter‑Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C‑UAS) Overview The C-UAS Sensor/RF Technician installs, aligns, verifies, troubleshoots, and sustains C‑UAS sensor suites—including RF detection, radar, and EO/IR—and supports integration to C2 software, network/backhaul, and trailerized/power systems for lab, test range, and operational deployments. Work products and records are maintained in accordance with DHS’s Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC), which requires structured technical reviews, entrance/exit criteria, and lifecycle artifacts that support acceptance and fielding decisions. When supporting live‑fly events, the technician assists with airspace/COA coordination artifacts and adheres to range procedures. The role also supports RF deconfliction and spectrum record‑keeping consistent with federal spectrum management guidance. Locations: Annapolis, MD, Baltimore, MD, or DC. Salary Range: $94,000 - $121,000 Responsibilities: • Install and align RF detection systems, ground surveillance radar, and EO/IR cameras on masts/trailers or fixed sites; perform line of sight checks, cable/connector terminations, grounding, and environmental hardening; document as built configurations for SELC artifacts. • Execute sensor calibration and boresight activities and verify performance in integration labs and at test ranges; maintain alignment logs and calibration certificates in the configuration repository. • Conduct on site RF surveys to characterize ambient RF, identify interference, and set safe operating parameters; maintain RF usage logs and coordinate deconfliction in line with federal spectrum management practices. • Support preparation of event specific RF coordination packages; ensure that any partner operations requiring non-federal authorizations pursue the appropriate FCC mechanisms via partner organizations. • Assist the deployment/test team with range checkouts, safety lines, NOTAM review, and COA special provisions at the test site; ensure equipment setup adheres to approved airspace constraints for public UAS operations under COA or applicable authorization. • Apply field hazard controls per system safety practices during installs, mast work, and live fly evolutions; maintain tailboard and hazard logs. • Connect sensors to C2 software via IP links, time sync services, and site backhaul; validate end to end data flow and latency; document IP schemas and cable plans in the site record set. • For high capacity backhaul, assist with link alignment, registration inputs, and channelization paperwork under program/network engineering guidance. • Perform Tier 2 troubleshooting for RF/radar/EO IR hardware, low noise chains, PDU/UPS, environmental controllers, and network devices; swap/return to vendor components; maintain spares and preventive maintenance schedules tied to SELC operations/maintenance artifacts. • Capture symptoms, diagnostics, and fixes in tickets and configuration logs. • Support Developmental/Operational Test execution at the sensor layer: verify time sync, logging, and truth source hookups; validate data completeness and metadata to feed performance metrics and latency required by program evaluation plans. • Produce field data packages and contribute to test quicklooks and after action reports used at SELC reviews. • Apply baseline hardening steps from runbooks before connecting devices; record firmware/software versions, checksums, and configuration snapshots; support RMF evidence capture for continuous monitoring. Minimum Qualifications and Experience: • Must be a U.S citizen with an ACTIVE security clearance of at least the SECRET level. • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, RF Systems, or related field; equivalent military technical training in this field accepted. • 12+ years hands‑on experience as an RF/sensor/radar/EO‑IR technician or field engineer integrating sensors with IP networks and mission software on federal/defense or critical‑infrastructure programs. • Proficiency with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs/cable‑and‑antenna analyzers, power meters), radar alignment tools, EO/IR alignment/boresight, time‑sync methods, and IP networking basics. • Experience with airspace/range procedures supporting UAS live‑fly events and handling COA provisions at the site. • Familiarity with federal spectrum coordination practices (NTIA Manual concepts) and maintaining RF usage records. • Ability to produce site SELC artifacts and maintain configuration traceability consistent with ISO 10007. Compensation- Salary At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full time, exempt position. Work Authorization/Security Clearance: Must be eligible to work in the US. AAP/EEO Statement Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Responsibilities

The technician installs, aligns, verifies, troubleshoots, and sustains Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) sensor suites, including RF detection, radar, and EO/IR systems, supporting integration with C2 software and network infrastructure. Responsibilities also involve conducting RF surveys, coordinating spectrum usage, assisting with live-fly event procedures, and maintaining detailed technical records according to DHS Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC) standards.