Lead Mission Systems Operator/Instructor – Aviation Defense

About A2G International

A2G International delivers advanced airborne surveillance and air-to-ground integration solutions for government and defense partners worldwide. Our ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) platforms combine cutting-edge technology with operational expertise to meet evolving mission requirements. We work closely with U.S. and state agencies to ensure mission readiness and operational efficiency.

Role Overview

The Lead Mission Systems Operator will conduct hiring, instruction, and leadership of A2G Mission Systems Operators to ensure continuous support of local flights and contracts abroad, as well as perform MSO/MSO Instructor duties for local flights as needed for TD&E, local demonstrations, and training support.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and oversight:

o   Effective leadership and management skills (setting and enforcing standards, mentoring successors, representing A2G externally, owning crew culture and retention, exercising sound independent judgment, showing initiative to close capability gaps, and communicating effectively up and across)

o   Ownership of MSO hiring pipeline in its entirety (screening, panels, selection, onboarding, offboarding).

o   Performance management (goal setting, 1:1s, evaluations, corrective action, promotion and compensation-increase recommendations to leadership).

o   Demonstrate the ability to lead personnel effectively to meet contract requirements and timelines.

o   Documented experience leading at least 15 ASO/MSOs or equivalent manned-ISR aircrew members.

o   Documented experience leading a cadre of MSO/ASO Instructors or military equivalent manned ISR aircrew positions and managing an ASO/MSO instructional course to include scheduling, development and maintenance of curricula, standards and evaluations, configuration management, and trend/efficacy analysis.

o   Ability to manage cross-functional teams and collaborate with various departments (maintenance, logistics, contracts, security/compliance, and program management).

o   Support labor forecasting, Basis of Estimate (BOE) inputs, and equipment recommendations for new and existing programs.

o   Mentor and develop MSO-Instructors to improve operational capabilities and identify future leads as the company grows.

Curriculum development

o   End-to-end ownership of the MSO program of instruction (POI).

o   Syllabi for IQT, MQT, Instructor upgrade, and recurring/refresher training.

o   Internal standards and evaluations for MSOs and MSO Instructors.

o   Customer-tailored training packages based on our POI.

o   Version control/configuration management

o   Student feedback and training effectiveness metrics to drive improvement

Scheduling

o   Crew member scheduling for local flights and OCONUS deployments.

o   Deployment rotations and reach-back coverage across contracts.

o   Currency and training event scheduling (IQT, MQT, Instructor upgrades, recurring evaluations).

o   Crew availability aligned against aircraft and maintenance schedules.

o   Management of leave, PTO, medical, and other manning issues to ensure continuous mission support

Technical Skills:

o   Demonstrate expert knowledge of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations.

o   Be able to document expert knowledge/experience with EO/IR sensors (WESCAM or FLIR).

o   Be able to document operational experience and instructional time with Mission Software suites. Preferably L3 ForceX or CarteNav products.

Key Competencies:

o   Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior management, regulatory authorities, and team members.

o   Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing operational challenges.

o   Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment, with a focus on achieving high operational standards.

o   Ability to manage and maintain high-dollar company-owned equipment to include accountability, upgrades, updates, and continual research of improved capabilities for the platform.

o   Ability to generate legible professional reports, email communications, and any system-related technical writing required by the company.

Basic Local Duties:

o   Perform as a Mission System Operator Instructor (MSO-I) to include maintenance of training materials and program of instruction to ensure it remains up to date.

o   Perform as a local Mission System Operator (MSO) to include mission planning, preflight, flight, post flight duties and to include operating sensor suite tools to complete the assigned missions.

o   Inspect and troubleshoot the mission systems and provide input on upgrades/improvements.

o   Create and deliver post mission products to the customer within 2 hours after landing.

o   Provide analysis and product debriefings as required.

o   Develop and refine operational procedures in support of the changing environment of the mission.  

o   Communicate information to command center and/or incident commanders during the execution of decisive operations.

o   Develop and maintain training material and provide training to the customer as required.

o   Understand system operation and employment Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to optimize system employment. 

o   Operate EO/IR Systems in training and operational environments.

o   Manage difficult or emotional customer situations; respond promptly to customer needs; solicit customer feedback to improve service; respond to requests for service and assistance; meet any contract-required commitments.

o   Establish and maintain effective relations; exhibit tact, consideration, and emotional intelligence; offer assistance and support to co-workers; work cooperatively in group situations; work actively to resolve conflicts.

o   Remain flexible and adapt to frequent changes in the work environment, delays, or unexpected events; manage competing demands; adapt approach or method to best fit the situation.

o   Provide support to the PM/Director of Operations as required.

o   May provide near real-time daily updates to the Director of Operations.

o   Maintain all medical requirements for this position.

o   Currently possess a minimum security clearance at the Secret level. TS-SCI eligibility preferred.

o   Ability and willingness to travel as required, both CONUS and abroad to provide leadership and instruction to deployed employees, or to lend a hand in times of minimal manning. Typical events last from a few days to three weeks.

o   Perform all other duties assigned or required.

Administrative / Compliance

o   Ownership of MSO and MSO-Instructor aircrew qualification records, currency logs, and training folders.

o   Weekly and monthly readiness and training reports to company leadership and supported Program Managers, to include contributions to CDRL deliverables.

o   Timecard and charge code approval for subordinate employees.

o   OPSEC, ITAR/EAR, and security compliance on training materials and mission data; coordination with the FSO/Compliance SME on clearance actions.

o   Safety reporting support under the company Safety Management System (SMS).

Preferred Qualifications:

o   4-year degree, or at least 4 years MSO/ASO experience in support of defense ISR contracts.

o   COMP-TIA A+, Network +, Security + certifications

o   Documented Cessna 337 Skymaster (or O-2) or similar ISR platform experience.

o   Documented and operationally significant time on WESCAM MX-15 sensors or FLIR Star Safire series sensors.

o   Documented operational and instructional time on CarteNav (AIMS-HD or AIMS-ISR), or L3 ForceX (Prospector / Widow Desktop).

Physical Demands

o   This position is not high-crew-endurance. Sufficient crew rest will be easy to maintain.  

o   Must be medically cleared to fly.

o   Must be capable of running a training program day and night.