First Radio Electronics Technician

gCaptain; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 96,746 - 118,245; Full time

Job summary

A military contractor is seeking a 1st Radio Electronics Technician to join the Military Sealift Command (MSC) team. The role includes maintaining telecommunications systems, supervising personnel, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and hold valid credentials including a U.S. Passport and TWIC. Experience in the military or with MSC vessels is preferred. This position is critical for naval operations, requiring technical expertise and strict adherence to protocols.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age.
• Possess and maintain a valid U.S. Passport.
• Hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or DOD Common Access Card (CAC).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a watchstander under supervision.
• Maintain daily operations of the department.
• Operate and monitor telecommunications networks.

Skills

Emergency drills and safety protocols

Communication systems maintenance

Tactical communication experience

Job description

Average Annual Salary

Average Annual Salary: $107,496 + $6,917 BONUS. This is the average annual salary not the base pay featured in the job opportunity announcement. All calculations include CIVMAR total take-home pay (including overtime, penalty, etc.).

Duties

The 1st Radio Electronics Technician is a Civil Service Mariner (CIVMAR) employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) aboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid‑manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. The role includes responsibility for:

• Serving as a watchstander and watch partner under the supervision of the Chief Radio Electronics Technician
• Maintaining daily operations of the department
• Transferring information using tactical or commercial satellites, complying with EKMS policy and procedures for handling COMSEC material, and operating radio cryptographic equipment
• Operating, monitoring, and controlling information systems for worldwide telecommunications networks (e.g., CUDIXS, MDU, MDS, NOW, GATEGUARD, FSM, NAVMACS V2 or II SYSTEMS, MISNS, and ADNS)
• Performing mission‑level troubleshooting, maintenance and minor repair of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer systems, ensuring ship’s capability to handle secure Fleet Broadcast Satellite Communications channels and related equipment
• Conducting preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, and limited repair on shipboard communications systems per MSC requirements
• Observing Electrical Safety Program and safety rules while performing work, including shipboard emergency drills
• Maintaining databases on assigned communications computer systems and operating applicable software applications
• Working aloft and over the side, maintaining antennas and topside systems
• Supervising and training assigned personnel (when applicable)
• Ensuring compliance with EEO laws, regulations and policies
• Performing all other duties as assigned

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Must be a United States citizen of at least 18 years of age and possess and maintain:

• U.S. Passport with at least seven months of expiration date
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and/or Department of Defense (DOD) Common Access Card (CAC) with at least ten (10) months remaining until expiration
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC) with at least ten months remaining until expiration

Position Specific Requirements:
• Must have one of the following:

• U.S. Navy E5 or above (Communications rating) with at least two (2) years experience in a shipboard Communications Center (i.e., Radio Central); other branches of the Military/National Guard with recent shore base Communications center or Operations Center experience (within the last ten (10) years)
• Two (2) years cumulative experience sailing on MSC vessels as a permanent Second Radio Electronics Technician (RET2)
• Equivalent Government and/or Commercial Communications experience with at least two (2) years experience (within the last ten (10) years)

**NOTE:** When submitting an application for employment, the applicant must provide a letter from their Facility Security Officer and/or Government Security Official to document Top Secret eligibility, and must have Top Secret eligibility within the last 24 months upon hiring.