A radio operator (formerly known as wireless operator in British and Commonwealth English), also referred to as radio officer, is a person who is responsible for the operations of a ship radio station and the technicalities aboard.

The profession of radio operator has become largely obsolete with the automation of radio-based tasks in recent decades. Nevertheless, radio operators are still employed in maritime and aviation fields. In most cases radio transmission is now only one of several tasks of a radio operator.

The role of 'Wireless Operator' aboard aircraft during WWII was often abbreviated to 'WOp' or 'WOP' in official documents or obituaries.