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F16 Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DRG

FIGHTER PILOT

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

Must have a minimum of 1,000 hours experience in fourth and/or fifth generation fighter aircraft as a pilot (F-22, F-18, F-16, F-15, A-10) * Must have experience as a Military Instructor Pilot (IP ...

USAJOBS

AIRPLANE PILOT

Mcconnell Air Force Base, KS

$131K/yr

For position requiring the piloting of fighter jet aircraft (e.g., F-16, A-10, F-15, F-22), each hours as First Pilot and/or Instructor Pilot in a fighter jet aircraft may be counted as two hours of ...

New

DRG

CONTRACT INSTRUCTOR PILOT

San Diego, CA · On-site

... 18, F-16, F-15, A-10) § Must have experience as a Military Instructor Pilot (IP) and multi-ship flight lead in tactical fighter aircraft § Must be willing to support flexible work hours to align ...

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F16 Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do f16 pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for f16 pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 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.
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F16 Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various F16 Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Avionics Software Engineering Support F-16 WAM (Top-Secret) with Security Clearance

Credence Management Solutions

Fairborn, OH • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 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 an Avionics Software Engineering Support at the senior level 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 development of Operational Flight Program (OFP) software for a major USAF F-16 upgrade program incorporating complex avionics upgrades, including new mission computers, display processors, weapons, AESA radar, and sensors.
* Support the engineering and technical design, development, integration, verification, qualification for airworthiness certification, and fielding of F-16 software, including OFP software, radar system software, display processor software, and other software as defined in, or derived from, program requirements.
* Support implementation of OFP updates as defined in F-16 OI 63-25, "OFP Development."
* Assist in monitoring and assessing prime contractor development of a new Systems Integration Lab (SIL).
* Support Warfighter Council Review meetings for requirements definition and refinement, as well as Pilot Early Look meetings to define and review Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) requirements, track requirements changes, and coordinate programmatic interdependencies.
* Support resolution of Software Program Anomaly Reports (SPARs), WITs, and related defects Requirements Education, Requirements and Qualifications: * Must have at least an active or current top-secret security clearance verifiable in the Defense Information for Security (DISS).
* For engineering positions, must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree with a major in engineering from a college or university with an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited engineering program for the degree requirements of the position, such as electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for these positions. The degree must have been received in the year of, or any year after, the original date of accreditation.
* Master's or Doctoral Degree in a related field and a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, at least five (5) of which must be in the DoD * OR, Bachelor's Degree in a related field and a minimum of twelve (12) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, five (5) of which must be in the DoD
* OR, a minimum of fifteen (15) years of directly related experience with proper certifications as described in the PWS labor category performance requirements, eight (8) of which must be in the DoD.
* Recommend an ABET-accredited degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or computer engineering.
* Recommend expertise in U.S. military aircraft Operational Flight Program (OFP) development, including translating and re-hosting programs from older to newer computer languages and computer processors.
* Recommend expertise using C++ computer language. 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

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