Sensor Operator - Diego Garcia

Discover this opportunity in our Diego Garcia international location, supporting a critical mission for U.S. Space Force’s Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) contract. You will help operate and maintain three one-meter telescopes equipped with highly sensitive digital cameras, responding to Government tasking to obtain metric observations of specific objects daily and maintain sensors, support equipment, and the facility at Detachment 2, Naval Support Facility in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This mission is vital to keeping existing satellites safe and providing critical information for future satellite launches.

About the role

Serco supports the U.S. Space Force as a prime contractor for the GEODSS program, managing daily metric observations of space objects and maintaining the sensors, support equipment, and facility. As a Sensor Operator, you will play a key role in this mission, ensuring operational readiness and contributing to the safety and security of space assets.

Responsibilities

• Complete and maintain certifications from company-provided Optical Sensor operator training.
• Perform sensor operations, area searches, and other sensor support tasks.
• Accomplish Higher Headquarters taskings and reporting requirements issued by JSpOC in the Consolidated Tasking List (CTL) and associated updates.
• Accomplish mission scheduling before the start of the operational period by identifying taskings, including routine and special metric taskings, SOI signature gathering, and raw video collection.
• Schedule observation attempts to provide time separation within weather, equipment, and tasking constraints based on collection requirements.
• Perform manual scheduling, special sensor settings, and other special techniques.
• Complete 100 percent of SOI-tasked objects each month; maintain workload data on number and frequency of SOI taskings.
• When directed by JSpOC, accomplish CalSat tracking at specified frequencies with each available sensor.
• Perform required post-mission activities, including maintaining operations logs, recorded data, and workload data.
• Document operations, security events, equipment status, authorized software changes, shift changes, changing of the Zulu day, and other significant events in an operations log.
• Complete sensor and mount calibrations in accordance with GEODSS Technical Orders (TOs).
• Perform assignments relative to the implementation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and facilities requiring knowledge of communications equipment/procedures and the ability to operate radio/communications equipment, sensors, computers, recording instrumentation, and other GEODSS-specific equipment.
• Complete initial and monthly recurring training and maintain certification for operations positions. Complete Government and corporate ancillary training.
• Perform operational checkout and pre-mission preparations for systems and equipment.
• Comply with all security procedures for Operations Security (OPSEC) and Communications Security (COMSEC).
• Assist electronic technicians in the daily operational and performance checkout of equipment and systems.
• Provide coordination and controls resources including recording media, safety, and security in support of the site mission.
• In time of crisis, support other services to increase the security and well-being of the site.
• Assist with maintaining site operations procedures.
• Assist other Space Sensor Program sites as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Active DoD Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred).
• U.S. Citizenship with a valid U.S. passport.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• 1 year of relevant work experience.
• Ability to work shift work in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Ability to successfully pass a physical/medical exam, background check, and drug screen prior to travel to Diego Garcia.

Benefits

Serco offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, with flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching funds.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, and ID theft protection.
• Birth, adoption, and parental leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Plan.

Pay

The salary range for this position is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by factors such as scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education, training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. Eligible positions may also include annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities.