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Airborne Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Airborne Mission Systems Instructor

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$65K - $118K/yr

... airborne operations-giving you the chance to directly influence aviators heading into meaningful ... Serve as a Direct Support Operator Instructor , training 1A8 career field personnel for basic ...

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How much do airborne operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for airborne operator in the United States is $19.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Airborne Operator vs Drone Pilot?

AspectAirborne OperatorDrone Pilot
CertificationsFAA Part 107 or equivalent, depending on jurisdictionFAA Part 107 or similar remote pilot certification
Work EnvironmentAircraft, helicopters, or fixed-wing planes; often outdoors and in various weather conditionsUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); typically remote-controlled, indoors or outdoors
Industry UsageAviation, aerial photography, surveillance, military, and cargoFilmmaking, real estate, inspections, agriculture, and surveying

Both Airborne Operators and Drone Pilots require FAA Part 107 certification and work with aerial technology. However, Airborne Operators typically operate manned aircraft in diverse environments, while Drone Pilots control unmanned drones mainly for commercial or recreational purposes. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in aerial operations.

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Airborne Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Airborne Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 39% Full Time, 59% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,702 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Airborne Mission Systems Instructor

Leidos

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$65K - $118K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 495 rated business services

Job description

Step into a missioncritical role where your expertise drives realworld impact!

Leidos is excited to offer an exciting opportunity for a talented instructor to join our team as a Direct Support Operator (DSO) Flight Instructor at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. In this role, you'll be at the center of preparing Career Enlisted Aviators to operate the Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS) Air and nextgeneration systems. This position blends impactful classroom instruction, immersive simulator training, and missionfocused airborne operations-giving you the chance to directly influence aviators heading into meaningful realworld missions. Candidates must hold an active Top Secret/SCI clearance to be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as a Direct Support Operator Instructor, training 1A8 career field personnel for basic qualifications, mission qualifications, aircraft differences, re-qualification, and instructor upgrades.

  • Deliver engaging training on mission planning, flight safety, airmanship, threat warning, TTPs, and COMSEC procedures.

  • Develop and refine classroom instruction materials and simulator scenarios.

  • Advise on military SOI development, ensuring training content is cutting-edge and mission-relevant.

  • Assess and log student performance with precision, creating individualized remedial training plans when needed.

  • Travel for aircraft-specific difference training or support to training operations across all approved 1A8 training locations, as required.

Required Qualifications:

  • 6+ years of experience. In addition to former DSO instructors or operators, we welcome former TSO operators/instructors, as well as former RJ, Compass Call, and Airborne Instructors.

  • Bachelor's degree may be substituted for 4 years of experience).

  • Active TS/SCI clearance required on Day 1-mission readiness is essential.

  • Ability to pass and maintain requisite flight physical qualifications for the duration of employment, as directed by the COR.

  • Proven instructional expertise, ideally with prior flight instructor experience.

  • Strong customer service skills, navigating interactions with military officers and civilian managers.

  • Ability to lead independently while thriving within a high-performance, dynamic team.

  • Strong communication skills-both verbal and written.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office Suite and flight training and integration software, such as Patriot Excalibur (PEX) and Graduate / Training Integration Management System (G/TIMS).

If you're ready to train, mentor, and shape the future of airborne cryptologic technicians, this is your opportunity to make an impact in a high-stakes mission environment.

AMSOPP1

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:July 31, 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 $65,650.00 - $118,675.00

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 with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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