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F16 Pilot Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Credence has an immediate opening for a F-16 Systems Principal, (Test Pilot) who will be primarily responsible for supporting the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center WAM (AFLCMC/WAM) directorate ...

F16 Pilot information

See Ohio salary details

$47.1K

$124.5K

$191.1K

How much do f16 pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for f16 pilot in Ohio is $124,462.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,100.00 and $147,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an F16 pilot?

F16 pilots are highly trained military aviators responsible for flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter jet used by air forces around the world. Their duties include operating the aircraft in combat, training, reconnaissance, and support missions. F16 pilots must master advanced flight maneuvers, navigation, weapons systems, and tactical operations. They undergo rigorous selection, training, and continuous skill development to ensure mission readiness and safety. The role demands physical fitness, mental acuity, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an F16 pilot?

To thrive as an F16 Pilot, you need advanced aeronautical knowledge, exceptional physical fitness, and completion of rigorous military flight training and certification. Mastery of avionics systems, radar, weapons systems, and flight simulation tools is essential. Outstanding situational awareness, quick decision-making, and teamwork are critical soft skills for success in high-pressure environments. These skills and qualifications are vital for ensuring mission effectiveness, operational safety, and successful collaboration with ground and air crews.

What are some common challenges faced by F16 pilots during training and operational missions?

F16 pilots often face challenges such as mastering complex avionics systems, maintaining situational awareness at high speeds, and executing precise maneuvers under stressful conditions. Training is rigorous and demands both physical and mental endurance, as pilots must adapt to rapidly changing mission scenarios and environments. Additionally, F16 pilots frequently collaborate with ground crews and other pilots to ensure mission success, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.

What is the difference between F16 Pilot vs F/A-18 Pilot?

AspectF16 PilotF/A-18 Pilot
Required CertificationsMilitary pilot certification, FAA license (if applicable), specialized fighter pilot trainingMilitary pilot certification, FAA license (if applicable), carrier landing training
Work EnvironmentAir Force fighter jets, airbases, combat zonesNavy fighter jets, aircraft carriers, maritime environments
Employer & IndustryU.S. Air Force, defense industryU.S. Navy, defense industry

Both F16 and F/A-18 pilots are highly trained military aviators operating advanced fighter jets. The main differences lie in their work environment—F16 pilots typically operate from land-based airbases, while F/A-18 pilots often fly from aircraft carriers. Certifications and training are similar, but carrier landing skills are specific to F/A-18 pilots. Both roles require rigorous physical and technical training, with employment primarily in the defense sector.

How do you become an F-16 pilot?

To become an F-16 pilot, candidates must join the military, typically the Air Force, and complete officer training. They then undergo specialized flight training and earn their pilot wings, gaining experience in advanced aircraft systems and combat tactics before qualifying to fly the F-16.

What are popular job titles related to F16 Pilot jobs in Ohio?

For F16 Pilot jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for F16 Pilot jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most F16 Pilot job openings:

Infographic showing various F16 Pilot job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $124,462 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

F-16 Systems Principal (Test Pilot), F-16 WAM (Top-Secret) - 27

Credence

Dayton, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Overview

At Credence, we support our clients’ mission-critical needs, powered by technology. We provide cutting-edge solutions, including AI/ML, enterprise modernization, and advanced intelligence capabilities, to the largest defense and health federal organizations. Through partnership and trust, we increase mission success for warfighters and secure our nation for a better future.

We are privately held, are repeatedly recognized as a top place to work, and have been on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list for the last 12 years. We practice servant leadership and believe that by focusing on the success of our clients, team members, and partners, we all achieve greater success.

Credence has an immediate opening for a F-16 Systems Principal, (Test Pilot) who will be primarily responsible for supporting the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center WAM (AFLCMC/WAM) directorate, F-16 division at Wright Patterson AFB, OH.

F-16 “Viper” AFLCMC/WAM is headquartered at Hill Air Force Base with units located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Tyndall Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The F-16 “Viper” is a multi-role fighter jet delivering air-to-air, air-to-ground, and surveillance capabilities for the United States Air Force (USAF) and Coalition Partners.

The F-16 program has the largest Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program in U.S. history producing over 4,500 jets for 24 countries. Each F-16 FMS case is uniquely tailored to country requirements / development / funding. Presently, FMS production orders exist through 2030. Additionally, the F-16 program includes the Multi-National Fighter Program (MNFP). MNFP is not a typical FMS program, but a unique, cooperative USAF and development program implemented through the FMS process under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). MNFP began in 1975 with the countries of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway; Portugal joined in 200.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the duties listed below:

  • Support F-16 USAF and FMS systems integration and configuration knowledge in order to identify integration and performance methods and risks.
  • Assist the Government in the development, implementation and execution of integration and acquisition strategies for multiple F-16 USAF and FMS programs.
  • Support translation of customer requirements into acquisition program requirements and support requirements development for hardware and software including F-16 PVI development.
  • Serve as the cost estimating point of contact for F-16 systems integration and test, and support financial cost estimators to develop F-16 USAF and FMS program cost estimates. The Contractor shall assist with development of integrated schedules including program conceptual schedules.
  • Support program management, test management and systems engineering for F-16 OFP software development, test and fielding. The Contractor shall assist with development of TEMPs, master test plans, and review Contractor and Government DT&E and OT&E test plans and reports.
  • Support ground and flight test anomaly resolution and troubleshooting for F-16 OFP software, subsystem hardware, sensors, and other weapons development integration and test programs.
  • Assist with development of test documentation and work test resource scheduling using detailed fighter platform test infrastructure knowledge for the prime Contractor, government DT&E/OT&E test aircraft configurations, instrumentation, and range test capabilities.
  • Support F-16 Information Assurance (IA) and Anti-Tamper (AT) program to include IA and AT program requirements and solutions.
  • Provide technical support for F-16 System Security Working Group (SSWG) and program protection activities to include but not limited to development and evaluation of program Critical Program Information (CPI); security classification guidance development and review; and technical support to evaluation of security guidance.
  • Support F-16 flight test contracting and FM activities.
  • Support F-16 QRC and UON program development and execution.
  • Support fire control radar development and integration to include Active Electronically Scanned Antenna (AESA) radar development and evaluation supporting the F-16 platform.
  • Support fighter platform avionics subsystem integration including fire control, stores management, pilot displays, Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS), data links, electronic warfare defensive equipment, and Ultra High Frequency/ Very High Frequency/ Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System/ Satellite Communications (UHF/VHF/SINCGARS/SATCOM) radios and other avionic subsystem integration and test.
  • Support fighter platform weapons integration and test efforts for air to air missile, air to ground guided/gravity weapons, and ammunition.
  • Support flight controls development and flight test for analog and digital systems such as terrain following, passive ground collision avoidance, auto ground collision avoidance and high angle of attack departure resistance and recovery.
  • Assist with F-16 SEEK EAGLE stores certification management, test and systems engineering including flutter, loads, stability and control, dynamic response, and stores separation.
  • Support interface with all F-16 requirements, test and development stakeholders to include ACC, DT&E and OT&E test organizations, Air National Guard/Air Force Reserves (ANG/AFRES) test organization, the F-16 prime Contractor, and OO-ALC.

Requirements

  • Must have at least an active top secret clearance.
  • Master’s or Doctoral Degree in a related field and a minimum of twenty (20) years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, at least twelve (12) of which must be in the DoD
  • Or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and a minimum of twenty-five (25) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, fifteen (15) of which must be in the DoD
  • Or Thirty (30) years of directly related experience with proper certifications and at least twenty (20) of which must be in the DoD.
  • Fifteen years of F-16 fighter weapons systems integration program office experience with detailed knowledge of all USAF and FMS configurations to address requirements
  • Must have: Military Test Pilot with multi-disciplinary expertise in program management, test management, systems engineering, test cost estimating, and integrated master schedule development, combined with extensive knowledge of F-16 aircraft systems, configurations, and flight test operations.
  • Minimum of ten years of F-16 test cost estimating
  • F-16 development and fielded system knowledge
  • Minimum of five years of Microsoft Project experience in the development of integrated schedules.
  • Ten years of experience of fighter platform flight test management
  • Ten years of Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRC) support experience.

Benefits

  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development