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Director Pilot Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

UAS Pilot

Derwood, MD ยท On-site

Military UAS flight experience involving direct manual control of fixed-wing aircraft using handheld transmitters or equivalent external pilot controls highly desired. * Experience with high ...

New

UAS Pilot

Derwood, MD ยท On-site

Military UAS flight experience involving direct manual control of fixed-wing aircraft using handheld transmitters or equivalent external pilot controls highly desired. * Experience with high ...

New

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Pilot and Naval Flight Officer candidates complete aviation indoctrination in Pensacola, followed ...

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Director Pilot information

See Washington salary details

$81K

$113.5K

$139.9K

How much do director pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for director pilot in Washington is $113,542.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,900.00 and $126,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director pilot do?

A Director Pilot is a senior aviation professional responsible for overseeing the safe and efficient operations of an organization's flight department. This role typically involves managing teams of pilots, developing operational policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating with other departments to achieve organizational objectives. The Director Pilot may also be involved in training, scheduling, and occasionally flying aircraft. Their leadership ensures that safety standards are met and that flight operations run smoothly.

What are some common challenges faced by a director pilot in managing a team of pilots?

A Director Pilot often navigates challenges such as balancing administrative duties with maintaining flight proficiency, managing diverse pilot personalities, and ensuring consistent adherence to safety protocols. Coordinating training schedules, regulatory compliance, and maintaining open communication between flight crews and management are also critical aspects. Addressing these challenges requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to cultivate a positive team culture focused on safety and performance.

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

To thrive as a Director Pilot, you need extensive flight experience, an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, and strong knowledge of aviation regulations and safety protocols. Familiarity with advanced flight management systems, scheduling software, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Outstanding leadership, decision-making, and communication skills are essential for managing flight crews and ensuring operational excellence. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining safety standards, regulatory compliance, and the efficient operation of a flight department.

What is the difference between Director Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectDirector PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) licenseCommercial Pilot Certificate, specific aircraft ratings
Work EnvironmentAirlines, corporate flight departments, charter servicesCharter flights, aerial work, flight training, cargo
Job RoleOversees flight operations, manages flight crews, ensures safety standardsOperates aircraft for commercial purposes, performs flights for clients or cargo

The main difference between a Director Pilot and a Commercial Pilot is that the Director Pilot typically holds a higher managerial role overseeing flight operations, while the Commercial Pilot is primarily responsible for flying aircraft for commercial purposes. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Director Pilot focuses more on leadership and operational management within airline or corporate settings.

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

The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Washington are:

UAS Pilot

Ideal Aerosmith

Derwood, MD โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title everyday with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services.

Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge.

The UAS Pilot will serve as a pilot and hands-on technical member of Ideal Aerosmith’s UAS flight operations team, supporting developmental flight testing, aircraft production, and customer operations. This position requires demonstrated flight experience with both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS, including strong manual flight proficiency using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls.

The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification of aircraft and associated systems. Flight responsibilities will include functional check flights, internal research and development (R&D) sorties, developmental flight testing, and current and future customer demonstrations.

When not conducting flight operations, the UAS Pilot will work directly alongside engineering and production teams to assemble, inspect, troubleshoot, integrate, and prepare aircraft for flight. The ideal candidate combines professional aviation discipline, advanced fixed-wing UAS piloting skills, and the technical aptitude to contribute directly to aircraft development and production.

Job Responsibilities

  • Serve as a UAS Pilot for Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft, supporting functional check flights, developmental flight testing, internal R&D sorties, and customer demonstrations.
  • Manually operate fixed-wing UAS during launch, recovery, flight test, and abnormal or emergency situations as required.
  • Support final aircraft assembly, system integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification prior to aircraft release for flight operations.
  • Conduct and support aircraft ground checks, pre-flight inspections, functional check flights, post-flight inspections, and discrepancy resolution.
  • Work directly with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot aircraft and subsystem issues and support corrective actions and design improvements.
  • Provide pilot and operational feedback to engineering during aircraft development, integration, and test.
  • Assist with mechanical, electrical, avionics, payload, and flight-control system integration.
  • Support aircraft maintenance, servicing, repairs, modifications, and configuration changes.
  • Participate in flight planning, briefs, debriefs, test-card development, and flight-test documentation.
  • Document discrepancies, maintenance actions, configuration changes, and flight-test observations.
  • Assist with development and refinement of flight procedures, checklists, and operational documentation.
  • Support customer demonstrations and field deployments, including aircraft preparation, transportation, setup, flight operations, and recovery.
  • Maintain professional aviation discipline and comply with company flight operations procedures, safety requirements, and applicable regulatory guidance.

Qualification Requirements

  • 3+ years of professional UAS, aviation, aerospace, flight-test, or closely related experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated flight experience operating both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS required.
  • Demonstrated proficiency manually flying Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls required.
  • Experience with launch, recovery, and manual control of large fixed-wing UAS required.
  • Military UAS flight experience involving direct manual control of fixed-wing aircraft using handheld transmitters or equivalent external pilot controls highly desired.
  • Experience with high-performance RC aircraft, turbine-powered RC aircraft, aerial targets, developmental UAS, or similar platforms highly desired.
  • Education or professional experience in an engineering discipline, including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, systems, avionics, or a related field, desired.
  • Experience with aircraft assembly, integration, inspection, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, and functional checkout preferred.
  • Experience supporting developmental flight test, functional check flights, or aircraft acceptance activities highly desired.
  • Experience operating in a disciplined military, aviation, aerospace, or professional flight-test environment strongly preferred.
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering, production, and flight operations teams.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally and obtain a passport.
  • Due to federal contract requirements applicable to this position, candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Skill Requirements

  • Advanced fixed-wing manual flight skills and strong understanding of fixed-wing aircraft handling and aerodynamics.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on technical skills.
  • Ability to use common hand tools, power tools, and aircraft support equipment safely and effectively.
  • Familiarity with aircraft systems, wiring, electronics, avionics, flight controls, or mechanical assemblies.
  • Ability to follow technical instructions, assembly procedures, flight procedures, and operational checklists.
  • Strong situational awareness, judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively in a developmental flight-test environment.
  • Ability to identify, document, and communicate aircraft discrepancies and provide meaningful operational feedback to engineering teams.
  • Effective communication and teamwork skills.
  • Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office products.

Physical Requirements

  • Must have the ability to lift and/or carry 45 lbs.
  • Ability to work for extended periods at computer workstation/keyboard.
  • Ability to type accurately and efficiently.
  • The position will require walking, standing, squatting, crouching, stooping, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, sitting, repetitive motion and kneeling.

Ideal Aerosmith is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our goal is to create a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion, where all employees feel respected and valued. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and strive to provide equal employment opportunities to everyone.