Ground Control Station Technician (GCS)

Leidos; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in the United States is seeking mission-ready veterans to join us as Ground Control Station (GCS) Technicians in a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Operations Facility. You will maintain, troubleshoot, and repair RPA Ground Control Stations while installing IT systems and mission hardware.

This 24/7/365 rotating role requires TS clearance and hands-on experience. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, follow Air Force TOs, and document in IMDS to ensure readiness and mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 3+ years in aircraft avionics, SATCOM, or ground station maintenance; additional experience may substitute for a degree.
• Familiarity with C5ISR concepts and strong problem-solving and diagnostics ability.
• Ability to read blueprints and wiring diagrams; hands-on electronics work.
• Ability to lift heavy gear and work in hands-on environments.
• TOP SECRET/SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair RPA Ground Control Stations with precision and reliability.
• Install and configure IT systems, communications tools, and mission hardware/software.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to meet evolving mission demands.
• Execute maintenance per Air Force TOs and document in IMDS; conduct crew debriefs.

Skills

Avionics

SATCOM

Diagnostics

Team-wide collaboration

Blueprints & wiring diagrams

Reading blueprints

Heavy gear handling

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3+ years in avionics/SATCOM/ground stations

Tools

Linux

IMDS

Security+ certified

Job description

Description

Continue Your Legacy of Service—with Purpose, Precision, and Impact. You’ve already stood the watch. You know what it means to protect and serve. At Leidos, your military experience becomes your most valuable asset in a civilian career where the mission still matters.

Leidos has supported the nation’s defense, health, and engineering initiatives—delivering innovative solutions where they’re needed most. Now we’re looking for mission-ready veterans to join us as Ground Control Station (GCS) Technicians in a one-of-a-kind Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Operations Facility.

This role empowers you to continue defending America and enhancing global safety, using the skills you honed in uniform.

Your Objective: Operational Readiness

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair RPA Ground Control Stations with the same precision and reliability you brought to the field.
• Install and configure critical IT systems, communications tools, and mission-enhancing hardware/software.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, respond to evolving mission demands, and adapt systems on the fly.
• Execute maintenance duties in accordance with Air Force Technical Orders (TOs), ensuring clean documentation in IMDS and proper crew debriefs.

This is a 24/7/365 rotating shift environment—perfect for those accustomed to high-tempo operations and unwavering commitment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree and 3+ years in aircraft avionics, SATCOM, or ground station maintenance. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Familiarity with C5ISR concepts, strong problem-solving and diagnostics ability, and a team-first mentality.
• Comfortable reading blueprints, wiring diagrams, and working with electronics.
• Able to lift heavy gear and thrive in hands‑on environments.
• TOP SECRET SCI clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience maintaining Reaper aircraft or GCS systems, especially at the organizational level.
• Proficiency in Linux, multi‑user systems, and Security+ certified to meet DoD 8570.01 standards.

At Leidos, we don’t just hire veterans—we empower them. Your operational experience, resilience, and integrity set you apart. We’ll give you the mission. You’ll bring the meaning.

EIO2024

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

August 5, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment…

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.