CUAS Operator / Technician

Overview

The CUAS Operator/Technician sets up, operates, maintains, and integrates government-furnished CUAS equipment supporting USSS protection events nationwide. The role delivers turn-key RF spectrum analysis and deconfliction, performs equipment setup, verification, and take-down at protective sites, maintains equipment in a constant state of readiness for immediate activation, conducts real-time system health monitoring and troubleshooting, and integrates CUAS detection, tracking, and mitigation data with USSS command-and-control systems (VIDTERRA and TAK). This is an event-based role requiring nationwide and international travel and the ability to support 24/7 operational coverage.

Work Location: Washington, DC with ability to travel nationwide in support of protection events; event-based onsite support required.

Work Arrangement: Onsite/event-based support with potential 24/7 operational coverage.

Clearance: U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain required federal suitability or security clearance as required for the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver turn-key 24/7 RF spectrum analysis for each protective mission; conduct RF deconfliction to optimize CUAS equipment placement and minimize interference with mission-critical communications.
• Deploy, set up, verify, and maintain proper operation of government-furnished CUAS equipment at all designated protective sites, including real-time system health monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Dismantle and securely store CUAS equipment following each event, ensuring all assets are maintained in a state of readiness for rapid redeployment.
• Maintain CUAS systems in a continuous stand-by posture, ready for immediate activation upon USSS request; monitor for, and respond to, unauthorized drone activity in real time.
• Integrate CUAS equipment and data feeds with USSS command-and-control infrastructure to enable coordinated detection, tracking, and mitigation of aerial threats.
• Support secure, encrypted communications and data transmission; implement secure authentication and access controls in accordance with federal cybersecurity standards.
• Conduct interoperability testing with USSS IT staff prior to each event to validate connectivity, video distribution, and integration with VIDTERRA and TAK.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance; manage spare parts, repair services, and logistics to sustain uninterrupted mission capability.
• Provide on-site or remote IT support during protection events to troubleshoot and resolve network or integration issues in real time.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, work in adverse weather, climb ladders, work on rooftops, and lift 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Maintain documentation of maintenance activities, system performance, incident logs, after-action reviews, and network configuration/integration/troubleshooting guides for USSS inspection.
• Participate in protective advance planning meetings, pre-event briefings, and post-event debriefings with USSS stakeholders.
• Adhere to all USSS security protocols, information-handling requirements, and federal IT/cybersecurity standards.
• When not deployed on active missions, work from the National Capital Region (NCR) facility to service, maintain, and store equipment and complete required USSS training.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance (USSS will sponsor investigations for new personnel as needed).
• Experience with CUAS detection, tracking, and mitigation systems, RF spectrum analysis, and/or RF deconfliction.
• Experience deploying, setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting electronic, RF, or C-UAS systems in field/operational environments.
• Experience with secure network connectivity, encrypted data transmission, and integration with command-and-control systems.
• Ability to complete government-provided USSS training as required (offered on a rolling basis; training period not to exceed one month).
• Ability to travel nationwide and internationally (approximately 80% travel) and support variable schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and 24/7 event coverage.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to work independently in high-pressure environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Electronics technician background or equivalent formal technical training.
• Military or federal CUAS, SIGINT, electronic warfare (EW), or RF/communications systems experience.
• Experience with VIDTERRA, TAK, or other secure C2/data-distribution systems.
• Manufacturer or platform-specific CUAS certifications.
• Prior experience supporting USSS, federal protective services, or National Special Security Event (NSSE) operations.
• Active Top Secret clearance.

Performance Standards

• 100% coverage during all designated protection periods.
• Continuous stand-by readiness with immediate activation upon USSS request.
• Successful integration and operation with USSS systems (VIDTERRA and TAK) for every event.
• Full compliance with all applicable federal law, USSS directives, and federal IT/cybersecurity standards.

Salary:  $100,000 -$150,000

Additional benefits include: 

• Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pre-Tax 401K and/or After-Tax Roth IRA (with employer matching contribution)
• Tuition and Technical Training Reimbursement
• Wellness Benefit
• Tech Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and standard office equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer workThe employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds
• Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding)

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exposure to general office conditions while conducting office duties
• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)
• Ability to work in a confined area
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period

Working at Edgewater Federal Solutions:Edgewater Federal Solutions is a privately held government contracting firm located in Frederick, MD. The company was founded in 2002 with the vision of being highly recognized and admired for supporting customer missions through employee empowerment, exceptional services, and timely delivery. Edgewater Federal Solutions is ISO 9001, 20000-1, 270001 certified, appraised at CMMI Level 3 Maturity for Development and Services, and has been named in the Top Workplaces in the Greater Washington Area Small Companies since 2018.

Edgewater Federal Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It has been and continues to be our policy to provide equal employment to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status and/or other status protected by applicable law.

- Deliver turn-key 24/7 RF spectrum analysis for each protective mission; conduct RF deconfliction to optimize CUAS equipment placement and minimize interference with mission-critical communications. - Deploy, set up, verify, and maintain proper operation of government-furnished CUAS equipment at all designated protective sites, including real-time system health monitoring and troubleshooting. - Dismantle and securely store CUAS equipment following each event, ensuring all assets are maintained in a state of readiness for rapid redeployment. - Maintain CUAS systems in a continuous stand-by posture, ready for immediate activation upon USSS request; monitor for, and respond to, unauthorized drone activity in real time. - Integrate CUAS equipment and data feeds with USSS command-and-control infrastructure to enable coordinated detection, tracking, and mitigation of aerial threats. - Support secure, encrypted communications and data transmission; implement secure authentication and access controls in accordance with federal cybersecurity standards. - Conduct interoperability testing with USSS IT staff prior to each event to validate connectivity, video distribution, and integration with VIDTERRA and TAK. - Perform preventive and corrective maintenance; manage spare parts, repair services, and logistics to sustain uninterrupted mission capability. - Provide on-site or remote IT support during protection events to troubleshoot and resolve network or integration issues in real time. - Must be able to stand for long periods of time, work in adverse weather, climb ladders, work on rooftops, and lift 50 lbs. unassisted. - Maintain documentation of maintenance activities, system performance, incident logs, after-action reviews, and network configuration/integration/troubleshooting guides for USSS inspection. - Participate in protective advance planning meetings, pre-event briefings, and post-event debriefings with USSS stakeholders. - Adhere to all USSS security protocols, information-handling requirements, and federal IT/cybersecurity standards. - When not deployed on active missions, work from the National Capital Region (NCR) facility to service, maintain, and store equipment and complete required USSS training.