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Contract Pilot Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

WaveLynx

Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

Broomfield, CO · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Lead pilot and EVT/DVT/PVT builds at the contract manufacturer, capturing defects, yield data, and process gaps with clear corrective actions * Coordinate ECO (engineering change order) transitions ...

JLL

Group Account Director

Denver, CO · On-site

Navigate and optimize performance across varied contract models including integrated facility ... Lead cross-functional teams to pilot, implement, and scale new offerings across the portfolio while ...

Red 6

Technical Supply Chain Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

$90K - $150K/yr

Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive ... Contract Manufacturer (CM) Collaboration * Act as the primary technical supply chain interface ...

Wabtec Corporation

Senior Product Line Manager

Englewood, CO · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

... contract negotiations for pilot and commercial engagements and obtain customer acceptance of the value proposition. • Manage product development lifecycle from concept to launch, then monitor key ...

Medium

Optical Coatings Materials Scientist

Denver, CO · On-site

$140 - $170/hr

... D to pilot or high‑volume manufacturing.Familiarity with scaling coating processes for industrial production. * Experience working with external coating vendors or contract manufacturers.

Holland & Hart

Office Operations Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

... piloting solutions, measuring outcomes, and scaling successful changes across the team ... Monitors and evaluates all supply vendors for price, service quality, and contract compliance ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsContract Pilot JobsContract Pilot Jobs in Colorado

Contract Pilot information

See Colorado salary details

$52K

$137.7K

$211.4K

How much do contract pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract pilot in Colorado is $137,661.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,200.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract pilot do?

A contract pilot is an aviation professional who operates helicopters, charter planes, or another aircraft on a per-job basis. As a contract pilot, you work directly with corporate or individual clients to fly an aircraft between locations and transport passengers or cargo. Your contract may be for a single trip or multiple trips. However, you operate as an independent contractor, so you are responsible for maintaining your credentials and insurance. Working as a contract pilot provides you with greater flexibility than being a pilot for an airline or the military.

What are some common challenges faced by contract pilots when adapting to different aircraft and client expectations?

Contract pilots often fly a variety of aircraft types for different clients, which can require quick adaptation to new cockpit layouts, avionics systems, and company-specific procedures. Additionally, each client may have unique operational standards and expectations regarding communication, scheduling, and reporting. Staying organized, maintaining up-to-date certifications, and being proactive in learning new processes are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Strong interpersonal skills also help contract pilots integrate smoothly with new crews and flight departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Pilot, you need extensive flight experience, an active commercial or airline transport pilot license (CPL/ATPL), and current medical certification. Familiarity with specific aircraft types, proficiency in using advanced avionics systems, and completion of required type ratings are typically necessary. Strong decision-making, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you manage diverse flying environments and coordinate with clients and crews. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable service in varied and dynamic aviation assignments.

What is a contract pilot?

Contract pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees of an airline or company. They typically operate private jets, corporate aircraft, or charter flights for individuals or organizations that need flight services for a limited period. Contract pilots are responsible for pre-flight planning, operating the aircraft safely, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and sometimes handling administrative tasks related to each flight. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet their scheduling and operational needs without long-term commitments.

What is the difference between Contract Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentHired on a temporary basis for specific contracts, often freelanceEmployed by airlines, charter companies, or corporate operators
Employer & Industry UsageContract basis across various operators, including private and cargoFull-time or part-time employment within commercial aviation

Contract pilots typically hold a commercial pilot certificate and work on a temporary or project basis, often flying for multiple operators. Commercial pilots are usually employed full-time by airlines or companies, with a focus on scheduled or charter flights. The main difference lies in employment type and job stability, with contract pilots offering flexibility and diverse opportunities, while commercial pilots often have more consistent employment within the commercial aviation industry.

More about Contract Pilot jobs

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

The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Pilot jobs in Colorado?

For Contract Pilot jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Pilot jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Pilot jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Contract Pilot jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Contract Pilot job openings:

Contract Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Pilot job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,661 per year, or $66.2 per hour.

Sr. Process Development Engineer - Pyrolysis Test

Charm Industrial

Fort Lupton, CO • On-site

$114K - $147K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

About Charm
 
Our mission is to return the atmosphere to 280 ppm CO. We convert excess inedible biomass into carbon-rich bio-oil and inject it into underground storage for permanent carbon removal. At scale, we can use bio-oil to make fossil-free iron.
 
Our carbon removal efforts began in 2020 with initial purchases from customers like Stripe, Shopify, and Microsoft. Since then, we've scaled to thousands of tons of carbon removal, grown to over a hundred employees, and established three locations in San Francisco, Colorado, and Louisiana.
 
We're expanding our team of ambitious, creative, and hands-on problem solvers. We value psychological safety, collaboration, and continuous learning. We take calculated risks and treat mistakes as opportunities to improve. If you're excited about tackling big challenges, we encourage you to explore our company values.
 
Come help us reverse climate change. Gigatons or bust!

About the Role 

We're looking for a Senior Process Development Engineer to join our Pyrolysis Test Engineering team. Reporting to the Director of Pyrolysis, you will lead the development and scale-up of next-generation biomass conversion processes from pilot testing through commercial deployment. You will define experimental strategy, drive resolution of complex scale-up challenges, and provide technical leadership across R&D, Engineering, and Operations teams.

This role requires deep process engineering expertise, strong technical judgment, and the ability to translate ambiguous experimental findings into robust, scalable industrial processes.

 
Your Responsibilities

  • Lead development of next-generation Charm pyrolyzers and biomass conversion processes to maximize bio-oil yield, product quality, reliability, and economic performance.

  • Define test plans and experimental campaigns that address critical technical uncertainties and inform commercialization decisions.

  • Own investigation and resolution of complex process performance, operability, and scale-up challenges across pilot and demonstration systems.

  • Develop and validate process models, material and energy balances, and engineering analyses to guide process improvements and future facility design.

  • Lead interpretation and communication of experimental results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including recommendations for strategic development priorities.

  • Prepare and review process engineering documentation including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), Process Control Narratives (PCNs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and process equipment specifications.

  • Lead or facilitate process safety activities including Hazard and Operability study (HAZOP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Management of Change (MOC) reviews, and commissioning/startup readiness reviews.

  • Partner closely with Mechanical, Automation, Electrical, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to ensure successful deployment and operation of new process technologies.

  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of engineering standards, best practices, and technical culture across the organization.

  • Support our 24/7 operations through a rotating after-hours coverage schedule, totaling approximately 2-3 weeks per year.

You Bring

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

  • 7+ years of experience in process development engineering, or scale-up engineering, including significant experience operating and developing pilot-scale systems.

  • Demonstrated success scaling chemical, thermochemical, energy, or industrial process technologies from pilot through commercial deployment.

  • Deep understanding of heat transfer, reaction engineering, mass and energy balances, process controls, process safety, and industrial operations.

  • Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills and the ability to diagnose complex process and equipment failures in ambiguous environments.

  • Experience leading cross-functional technical projects involving multiple engineering disciplines.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence technical direction and align diverse stakeholders.

  • Strong engineering judgment and ability to balance technical rigor, operational realities, schedule, and cost.

  • Excitement for scaling industrial technologies that can meaningfully impact climate change.

Bonus if you Bring

  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

  • Experience with pyrolysis, gasification, biomass conversion, refining, petrochemicals, renewable fuels, or other thermochemical processing technologies.

  • Experience commissioning and operating industrial process systems at demonstration or commercial scale.

  • Experience leading process hazard analyses and implementing process safety management programs.

  • Experience managing external engineering partners, equipment vendors, or contract manufacturers.

$98,400 - $147,600 a year
What We Offer
  • Equity ownership through stock options
  • 100% employee healthcare premiums covered
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options
  • Employer-funded HSA contributions for eligible HDHP plans
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k) with a 50% match on contributions up to 6%
  • Paid leave, including parental and medical leave
  • PPE and workwear allowances
  • Annual professional development stipend
  • Employee recognition programs that celebrate impactful work and team contributions
  • Opportunities for internal growth, career development, and transition into climate from a range of industries and backgrounds
 
Visa Sponsorship Policy
 
Since we are a small startup, certain accommodations for visa sponsorship may not be within our capability. At this time, Charm Industrial is only sponsoring E3 and TN visas.
 
Our Commitment
 
Charm Industrial is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based on skills, experience, and passion for our mission. Climate challenges require a wide range of perspectives and expertise, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We're excited to grow our team with people who bring unique strengths and help us improve as a company.
 
At Charm, we may use AI-enabled tools to support certain aspects of the hiring process, including organizing candidate information and highlighting experience that may be relevant to a particular role. In a world where AI-assisted resumes, synthetic content, and deepfakes are increasingly common, these tools help our team navigate the process thoughtfully and efficiently. Every application and resume is reviewed by a member of our hiring team, and hiring decisions are made by people, not algorithms. Our recruiting process is designed to ensure candidates are evaluated fairly, consistently, and in alignment with our equal employment opportunity commitments. AI tools support our team's work, but they do not replace human judgment or determine hiring outcomes.
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