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Contract Test Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Perform Test Project Officer duties, including development of test plans, test procedures, and ... Contract requires US Citizenship. Applicant selected may be subject to a government security ...

KC-130 Pilot

California, MD ยท On-site

$155K - $225K/yr

As a long-term incumbent and leader in test aircrew expertise, the selected applicant will work ... Must be able to travel up to 25% as required by contract. * Note: This is a full-time position, but ...

Pilot

Huntsville, AL ยท On-site

... RTES) contract in support of the Redstone Test Center mission to provide superior technical ... Must hold a commercial pilot certificate or airline transport certificate and possess/obtain a ...

Senior E-130J Pilot

Lexington Park, MD ยท On-site

$171K - $240K/yr

Perform Test Project Officer duties, including development of test plans, test procedures, and ... Contract requires US Citizenship. Applicant selected may be subject to a government security ...

... 96TW Contract, supporting the Air Force Division located on the EGLIN AFB, FL. REQUIRED ... Flight Safety Course, Weapons School or Test Pilot School. RESPONSIBILITIES * Develops and plans ...

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Contract Test Pilot information

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$81.5K

$105.1K

$176K

How much do contract test pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract test pilot in the United States is $105,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Test Pilot vs Flight Test Engineer?

AspectContract Test PilotFlight Test Engineer
Required CredentialsCommercial pilot license, type ratings, flight experienceEngineering degree, flight testing certifications
Work EnvironmentIn-flight testing, aircraft operationGround testing, data analysis, flight planning
Employer & IndustryAerospace companies, defense contractorsAerospace firms, aircraft manufacturers

Contract Test Pilots primarily operate aircraft during flight tests, focusing on piloting and safety. Flight Test Engineers analyze data, plan tests, and support flight operations from the ground. While both roles are essential in aircraft testing, Contract Test Pilots are pilots with specialized flying skills, whereas Flight Test Engineers are engineers with expertise in aircraft systems and data analysis.

More about Contract Test Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Test Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Test Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Test Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Test Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Test Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Test Pilot jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Test Pilot job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,110 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

MQ-9 Test Pilot - TPS Graduate

System Dynamics Intl

Palmdale, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

JOB SUMMARY

SDI is seeking a MQ-9 LRE & MCE Qualified Instructor Pilot (IP) and graduate of the US Air Force Test Pilot School program to provide UAS Aircrew Support Services. These positions will be in Gray Butte, CA. Pilots will be responsible for coordination of customer flight test support requirements and aircraft operation to ensure flight safety and success.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Test Planning and Execution
- Review test plans, test cards, and other documentation for ground and flight test events and supporting Flight Test Engineer in execution of test projects
- Apply extensive knowledge and experience of flight test operations to provide test planning, training and evaluation, pre-flight planning, flight briefings, post-flight briefings, and post-flight test analysis and reports.
- Attend and participate in Test Plan Working Groups (TPWGs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Test Kickoff Meetings, Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), Safety Review Boards (SRBs), and Technical Review Boards (TRBs).
- Conduct test and evaluate capabilities of new equipment and propriety of new procedures in accordance with established test cards, published flight manuals, checklists, technical orders, instructions and other approved manuals as provided by the manufacturer.
- Conduct approval flight tests of new or substantially modified aircraft, including the assessment of handling characteristics, performance, and systems functionality.
- Support program and PMs with test advice as it pertains to aircrew, recommended priorities, resource planning and constraints, and inputs into deficiency identification and correction

Pre-flight Planning:
- Coordinate customer flight support requirements and develop valid mission plans to include map analysis for mission route selection including terrain evaluation; communications planning; compliance with customer, FAA, ICAO, and host nation regulations; developing and filing flight plans; weather evaluation; fuel requirements, mission risk assessment; crew assignments; pre-flight briefing and safety of flight evaluation
- Perform pre-flight and in-flight mission planning activities in accordance with unified combatant command and theater rules of engagement. Must understand tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for friendly and enemy Air Order Battle (AOB) assets.

In-Flight/Post-Flight:
- Conduct all phases of safe ground and flight operations, including pre-flight, ground checks, launch, normal flight, emergency flight, recovery, and post-flight.
- Participate in post-flight debriefing to determine mission accomplishments and potential procedural development.
- Submit T.O. change requests and Deficiency Reports (DR) identified during ground and flight test operations.
- Receive, interpret, extract, and disseminate relevant ATO, Airspace Control Order (ACO) and SPINs information.

Certification and Currency:
- Obtain and maintain professional certifications required to pilot/operate aircraft to include appropriate difference training and qualification on new aircraft
- Accurately track and accomplish currency requirements, annual evaluations/training events, go/no-go Flight Crew Information File items, and safety briefings.
- Ensures compliance with service guidance, company policy and procedures and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
- Responsible for observing all laws, regulations and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
- Maintain ties with commercial aviation organizations to contribute to job performance
- Pursue continuing education for growth in advance flight ratings and technology trends

Training:
- Conduct initial, qualification, upgrade and continuation training for mission crew members.
- Perform staff assistance visits to subordinate units, training, planning, standardization and evaluation, and other staff duty functions.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must have active TS/SCI security clearance
Education Requirements: Bachelorโ€™s Degree in Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics; or Masterโ€™s Degree in any engineering field; or BS Degree in a physical science โ€“ receiving a minimum GPA of 3.0
Current and qualified MQ-9 Instructor Pilot requirements as follows:
- Pilot I: MCE
- Pilot II: MCE + LRE
- Pilot III: MCE + LRE + INST/MAQ
- Pilot IV: MCE + LRE + INST + SEFE/MAQ
- Pilot IV: MCE + LRE + INST + SEFE + MAQ
Required to have commercial pilot certificate, current instrument rating, and current FAA medical certificate.
Must possess/obtain FAA Class II Medical Certificate
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products
OTHER INFORMATION
Travel may be required to other sites to support the contract effort.
System Dynamics International, Inc. is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access SDIโ€™s careers page as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 256-895-9000. Thanks for your interest in System Dynamics International, Inc.