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Commander Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

MH-60R Warfare Commander Facilitator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Post-department head tour experience on a Fleet, CSG, or Warfare Commander staff or equivalent. * Experience in planning, implementation and execution of advanced, high-level maritime warfare tactics ...

SAIC

MH-60R Warfare Commander Facilitator

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Post-department head tour experience on a Fleet, CSG, or Warfare Commander staff or equivalent. * Experience in planning, implementation and execution of advanced, high-level maritime warfare tactics ...

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$73K

$159.4K

$252.2K

How much do commander jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for commander in California is $159,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,400.00 and $187,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a commander?

To thrive as a Commander, you need extensive leadership experience, strategic planning abilities, and a solid background in military operations, usually supported by advanced military education and officer commissioning. Familiarity with command and control systems, military communication tools, and operational planning software is essential. Exceptional decision-making, situational awareness, and the ability to inspire and manage personnel are key soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for effective mission execution, maintaining unit cohesion, and ensuring operational success under pressure.

What is the difference between Commander vs Pilot?

AspectCommanderPilot
Required CredentialsMilitary or specialized training, certifications depending on contextCommercial or private pilot license, FAA certifications
Work EnvironmentMilitary operations, ships, or aircraft command settingsAircraft operation, airlines, private flights
Industry UsageMilitary, maritime, aviationAviation, transportation

The main difference is that a Commander typically refers to a leadership role overseeing operations in military, maritime, or aviation contexts, requiring specialized training and certifications. A Pilot, on the other hand, is primarily responsible for flying aircraft and holds specific licenses. While both roles are involved in aviation or maritime industries, Commanders focus on leadership and strategic oversight, whereas Pilots focus on aircraft operation.

What is a commander?

Commanders are high-ranking officers in military, naval, or law enforcement organizations who are responsible for leading and managing units, missions, or operations. They oversee personnel, develop strategies, make critical decisions, and ensure the effective execution of orders and objectives. Commanders are expected to demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, often working under significant pressure. Their specific duties can vary depending on the branch of service and the size of the unit they command.

What are some common challenges faced by a commander in coordinating large teams or units?

Commanders often manage diverse teams with varying skill levels, backgrounds, and responsibilities. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across all levels, especially in high-pressure or rapidly changing situations. Additionally, balancing strategic decision-making with the welfare and morale of personnel requires strong leadership and adaptability. Commanders must also stay updated on operational protocols while fostering teamwork and collaboration among units to achieve mission objectives effectively.

What cities in California are hiring for Commander jobs?

Cities in California with the most Commander job openings:

Commander jobs near you
Infographic showing various Commander job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,362 per year, or $76.6 per hour.

MH-60R Warfare Commander Facilitator

SAIC

San Diego, CA • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 224 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2614283
Location: San Diego, CA, US
Date Posted: 2026-07-06
Category: Defense/Intel
Subcategory: Military Operations
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: Secret
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:
SAIC is seeking a MH-60R Subject Matter Expert with experience administering simulated tactical training in a Fleet Synthetic Training environment. The ideal candidate would be an experienced Naval Officer with recent, real-world MH-60R experience to bring relevant tactical training to HSM and HSC units and other naval forces. Place of performance is with the NADTC syndicate at Tactical Training Group Pacific in Point Loma, San Diego.
*MUST WORK ON-SITE IN SAN DIEGO, CA*
JOB DUTIES:
  • Provide subject matter expertise in the latest MH-60R tactics, techniques, and procedures, to include C2 organization, unit employment, capabilities/limitations, integration, and threat capabilities.
  • Develop advanced war game scenarios to support training or evaluation events with linked HSM/HSC simulators.
  • Facilitate war game execution by serving as a white cell representative for the war game director and staff.
  • Manage accomplishment of training objectives by adjusting war game scenario aspects, and role-playing strike group or threat components as required.
  • Liaise with Navy and Joint centers of excellence, and provide SME support in the latest USN doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures for Naval Aviation training.

Qualifications
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND CLEARANCE:
  • Bachelor's degree and 15 years of Navy experience.
  • Post-department head tour experience on a Fleet, CSG, or Warfare Commander staff or equivalent.
  • Experience in planning, implementation and execution of advanced, high-level maritime warfare tactics, direction and employment of units, and coordination requirements between strike group command and staff components, warfare commanders, subordinate units, and higher headquarters.
  • Thorough knowledge of SUW and ASW relevant capabilities and limitations, such as systems capabilities, weapons capabilities, unit capabilities, threat capabilities, etc.
  • Experience translating Naval warfare training objectives into a comprehensive war game exercise.
  • Must have an active Secret Clearance to start.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience running JSAF/JAWS to accomplish training objectives.
  • Experience at either HSM FRS or HSM Weapons School.
  • Experience with Fleet Synthetic Training.

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .

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