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Aerial Firefighting Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing ...

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Aerial Firefighting information

See Colorado salary details

$30K

$62.7K

$105.2K

How much do aerial firefighting jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerial firefighting in Colorado is $62,677.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,800.00 and $72,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is aerial firefighting?

Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft to combat wildfires from the air. Specialized planes and helicopters drop water or fire retardant chemicals directly onto fires or in strategic locations to slow their spread. These aircraft can also be used for reconnaissance, mapping, and transporting firefighters or equipment to hard-to-reach areas. Aerial firefighting is often coordinated with ground crews to maximize effectiveness and ensure safety. This method is essential in managing large, fast-moving, or remote wildfires.

What are aerial firefighting jobs?

Aerial firefighting jobs involve flying a plane or helicopter to extinguish wildfires, protect property, and save lives. Pilots fly as part of a crew and drop water or other fire retardants to contain the fire and minimize damage. Some aerial firefighters are “smokejumpers,” which means they parachute or rappel into wildfire areas to combat their spread. As an aerial firefighter, your responsibilities involve preserving woodlands and deserts while protecting the safety of residents and your crew, so these jobs are not for the faint of heart. You must be physically fit and able to endure stressful situations and harsh conditions for extended periods. Additionally, both roles require specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in aerial firefighting?

To thrive in aerial firefighting, you need advanced piloting skills, knowledge of fire behavior, and completion of specialized firefighting and aviation training. Experience with aircraft like helicopters or fixed-wing air tankers, FAA certifications, and proficiency in using GPS navigation and radio communication systems are typically required. Outstanding teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and situational awareness are crucial soft skills for this high-risk environment. These abilities are essential to ensure safety, effective wildfire suppression, and coordination with ground crews during complex emergency missions.

What are some of the biggest challenges faced by aerial firefighting crews during wildfire season?

Aerial firefighting crews often contend with unpredictable weather conditions, rapidly changing fire behavior, and challenging terrain that can make flying and water drops both risky and complex. Coordinating with ground teams is essential, as is maintaining constant communication to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness. Additionally, long hours and high-stress situations require strong teamwork and adaptability, making both physical fitness and mental resilience key components of success in this role.

What is the difference between Aerial Firefighting vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectAerial FirefightingHelicopter Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting-specific trainingCommercial Pilot License, often with helicopter ratings
Work EnvironmentFire zones, remote areas, often during emergenciesVarious, including transport, surveillance, and firefighting support
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, government agencies, firefighting contractorsAirlines, charter companies, government agencies, firefighting services

While both roles involve piloting helicopters, aerial firefighting focuses on using aircraft to combat wildfires, requiring specialized firefighting training. Helicopter pilots may work in diverse sectors, including transportation and surveillance, with less emphasis on firefighting-specific skills. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Aerial Firefighting jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Aerial Firefighting jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Aerial Firefighting jobs in Colorado?

For Aerial Firefighting jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Aerial Firefighting jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Aerial Firefighting job openings:

Infographic showing various Aerial Firefighting job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,677 per year, or $30.1 per hour.

Certification Engineer

Metrea

Denver, CO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Company Overview
Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.
Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service - spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack - from the lab to the field - we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Position Summary
In the Certification Engineer role, you will provide support for FAA STC certification projects through all phases of project activity, working with design and analysis engineers in the creation of certification data packages. This role requires knowledge of FAA regulations and aircraft modifications and experience developing certification plans, compliance checklists, test plans and reports, and compliance documentation detailing technical aspects of an aircraft modification. Communication and coordination with designers, contract engineers, aircraft maintenance facilities, quality personnel and FAA designees required.
What You'll Do
Perform certification engineering to include:
  • Research and analysis of project requirements
  • Contribute to the development of project specific certification plans and compliance checklist detailing regulatory requirements
  • Compliance document preparation for STC projects including analysis and substantiation reports in coordination with applicable specialists in various disciplines
  • Collaborate in the creation of STC technical design/data package including systems and electrical designs, assembly and installation drawings, installation instructions, and master data lists
  • Coordination of part and installation FAA conformities for prototype and testing programs
  • Create test plans for STC compliance showings including ground and flight test plans and reports. Assist or lead on-aircraft ground and flight-testing activities related to new system installations and modifications
  • Support design and certification for product obsolescence replacement components including RTCA DO-160 equipment qualification and Technical Standard Order Authorizations
  • Facilitate the production of aircraft manual supplements and instructions for continued airworthiness for maintenance and operations
  • Support certifications of STCs to FAA or foreign civil agencies
  • This role, as appropriate with experience, may also assist and occasionally mentor junior certification engineers in design, research and analysis of project requirements
What You Bring
  • Four+ year engineering degree preferred
  • 2-12 years working experience in FAA certification and compliance package preparation
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Familiar with FAA certification and approval processes (STC, DO-160 Qualification, TSOA, PMA, Major Alterations). Familiarity with foreign authority certification a plus
  • Demonstrate experience in FAA Part 23 and Part 25 regulations, databases, and procedures
  • Display competency in understanding engineering drawings, aircraft manuals, component manuals, etc.
  • Strong organizational skills and discipline, with strong attention to detail
  • USA Passport, available for domestic & international travel (occasional)
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
  • Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, and 2-12 years (required) of relevant certification, and/or design and installation of aircraft systems and modifications
  • Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite

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 Authorization / Security Clearance
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. US citizenship is required. Candidates will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements.
AAP/EEO Statement
Peregrine Avionics LLC 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 Environment
This job operates in an office setting.
Travel
Less than 20%.
Our Firmware
At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are 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.