Aerial Firefighting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview 

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation.  

Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation. With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field—what we call connecting design with effect.  

Metrea’s solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.  

Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. 

 
 This role sits within Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s aerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tanker aircraft remain mission-ready through effective logistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance. By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.  

Position Summary  

In this role, you will serve as AIRMOBS’s Head of Crew Training, equivalent to an FAA Chief Pilot, EASA Nominated Person for Crew Training, or CASA Head of Training and Checking. You will be successful if you can deliver highly trained, qualified, and competent crews who meet AIRMOB’s mission requirements. Your leadership will ensure compliance with global aviation standards, foster a culture of safety, and drive continuous improvement in training effectiveness 

What You’ll Do

What You’ll bring 

Must Haves

Nice to Haves

Additional Eligibility Qualifications  

Valid Driver’s License.  

Current US Passport.   

Must hold, or previously held, an Instructor/Evaluator certification for KC-135 Aircraft.   

Valid Pilot License - ATP Multi-Engine Land with B-707 Type Rating (Restricted ATP is permissible). 

Our Firmware  

At Metrea, our single core value, Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes—Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems.

Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance. 

Benefits  

Comprehensive medical plan options

HSA/FSA accounts

Dental and vision coverage

6% employer 401(k) match

Fully paid parental leave for all new parents

Generous PTO

Life and disability insurance
 Long-term and Short-term disability coverage

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Subsided gym membership / plans through Wellhub    

Work Authorisation/Security Clearance  

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
 Must be a U.S. citizen.

Clearence required at time of hire: Active Secret clearance required at time of hire, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment.

AAP/EEO Statement  

Legal Entity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work  

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require. 

Work Location  

Temecula and Moreno Valley, CA

Work Environment  

This job operates in an office setting  

Travel  

Travel may be required: up to 30%