What is ISR?
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, or ISR is a record that contains essential information crucial in the nation. It has a various function such as operation and intelligence that deals with the processing, coordination, providing timely and relevant information helps with the security of a state. Some info that ISR can capture is radar, infrared images, and electronic signals.
How is ISR used?
Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how isr is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to isr below:
- Secured NSA-H access to persistent ISR and uncovered unusual adversary behavior which resulted in the activity being briefed to SECDEF.
- Worked closely with Army counterparts to provide seamless ISR support to Joint Operations and NATO Coalition Forces.
- Monitored multiple channels of classified and open source information to identify and assess ISR mission threats.
- Authored 125 Ad Hoc task messages and leveraged national ISR during contingency operations which provided PACOM a decisive advantage over adversaries.
- Operated all shifts 24/7 365 ISR Watch Desk; monitoring daily activity and disposition of AF/PAK DoD ISR assets.
- Acted as Subject Matter Expert (SME) by providing ISR collection and targeting de-confliction.
Are ISR skills in demand?
Yes, isr skills are in demand today. Currently, 1,593 job openings list isr skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include isr skills are mission manager, sensor operator, and full-motion video analyst.
How hard is it to learn ISR?
Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use isr the most: mission manager, sensor operator, and full-motion video analyst. The complexity level of these jobs is challenging.
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What jobs can you get with ISR skills?
You can get a job as a mission manager, sensor operator, and full-motion video analyst with isr skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with isr skills.
Mission Manager
Job description:
A mission manager is in charge of daily team operations as well as actual missions. They serve as a command center during real time incidents, ensure their team's mission readiness, coordinate resources, oversee the execution of collection operations, and ensure objectives are met. They need to be familiar with making tactical plans to help execute missions in an efficient and effective manner.
- Collection Management
- ISR
- DOD
- Intelligence Analysis
- Situational Awareness
- National Security
Sensor Operator
Job description:
A sensor operator is a crewmember on aerospace systems. They receive and abide by special instructions, air tasking orders, and rules of engagement. They operate airborne sensors, monitor aircraft, study weapon systems, and assist pilots in flying aircraft. They are also responsible for maintaining reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
- ISR
- Flight Operations
- Mission Planning
- Reconnaissance
- DOD
- Syllabus
Full-Motion Video Analyst
Job description:
A full-motion video analyst has the capability to create a detailed video, intelligence products, or still image. Full-video analysts provide imagery, accounting and telecommunications support, and military geography to various intelligence community customers. They collaborate with the other intelligence community agencies and officers for support in disseminating information. Their job also involves the exploitation and analysis of computer-aided imagery.
- ArcGIS
- Google Earth
- MAAs
- ISR
- Intelligence Products
- Intelligence Community
Intelligence Analyst
Job description:
An intelligence analyst is responsible for collecting information from various sources, including security databases, law surveillance networks, past intelligence reports, geographic and mapping tools, and communication records to locate threats and prevent crime and terrorist activities. Intelligence analysts work with different national organizations to gather information on related criminal activities and determine patterns and support investigations. An intelligence analyst must be highly critical and analytical to connect data and capture enemies to ensure the public's safety and security.
- Government Agencies
- National Security
- ISR
- Combat
- Intelligence Analysis
- Intelligence Community
How much can you earn with ISR skills?
You can earn up to $95,276 a year with isr skills if you become a mission manager, the highest-paying job that requires isr skills. Sensor operators can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $51,597 a year.
| Job title | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Manager | $95,276 | $46 |
| Sensor Operator | $51,597 | $25 |
| Full-Motion Video Analyst | $63,252 | $30 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $77,752 | $37 |
| Sigint Analyst | $68,140 | $33 |
Companies using ISR in 2025
The top companies that look for employees with isr skills are Huntington Ingalls Industries, Army National Guard, and Leidos. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention isr skills most frequently.
| Rank | Company | % of all skills | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington Ingalls Industries | 19% | 1,016 |
| 2 | Army National Guard | 15% | 4,392 |
| 3 | Leidos | 8% | 4,606 |
| 4 | Red River Bancshares | 7% | 184 |
| 5 | SMX Convention Center | 5% | 915 |
Departments using ISR
| Department | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Non Profit/Government | $72,600 |