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Fire Pilot Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer

Frederick, CO · On-site

$67K - $105K/yr

Lead for lab and pilot scale development testing of evaporation and drying technology. Responsible ... as National Fire Protection Association / National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 / NEC), and ...

Process Engineer

Frederick, CO · On-site

$67K - $105K/yr

Lead for lab and pilot scale development testing of evaporation and drying technology. Responsible ... as National Fire Protection Association / National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 / NEC), and ...

Mechanical Technician II

Boulder, CO · On-site

$25 - $31.25/hr

With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County ... Emergency response may be required in the case of flood, fire, or weather recovery to get the ...

With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County ... Emergency response may be required in the case of flood, fire, or weather recovery to get the ...

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Showing results 1-20

Fire Pilot information

See Colorado salary details

$52K

$137.7K

$211.4K

How much do fire pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire 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.

How much do fire plane pilots make?

Fire plane pilots, also known as aerial firefighters, typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. They often require specialized certifications and operate aircraft such as airtankers or water bombers during wildfire suppression efforts.

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

To thrive as a Fire Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a commercial pilot’s license, and specialized training in aerial firefighting operations. Familiarity with aircraft like air tankers or helicopters, navigation systems, and wildfire management protocols is essential. Strong decision-making, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure safe, efficient support for firefighting teams while minimizing risk during high-stress, unpredictable wildfire missions.

What are some common challenges faced by Fire Pilots during wildfire suppression missions?

Fire Pilots often face rapidly changing weather conditions, limited visibility due to smoke, and challenging terrain when flying over wildfire zones. Coordinating closely with ground crews and other aircraft is essential to ensure safety and effective fire suppression. Additionally, Fire Pilots must remain vigilant for hazards such as sudden wind shifts, updrafts, and the risk of engine overheating during extended low-altitude flights. These challenges require strong situational awareness, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt quickly under pressure.

What are Fire Pilots?

Fire Pilots are specialized pilots trained to operate aircraft in support of firefighting operations. They fly planes or helicopters to drop water or fire retardants over wildfires, transport firefighters and equipment, and conduct aerial surveillance of fire zones. Their work is critical in controlling and suppressing large-scale wildfires, often requiring quick decision-making and flying in challenging and dangerous conditions. Fire Pilots typically work for government agencies, firefighting services, or private contractors.

What Does a Fire Pilot Do?

As a fire pilot or air tanker pilot, you respond to wildfires by providing water drops, fire retardant, and other fire suppression materials from your aircraft. In most cases, you spend the bulk of your day standing by and waiting to respond to an alert that indicates the probability of wildfire. Depending on probability, you may need to stay on-site or remain within a specified distance of the base. When the call comes, your responsibilities include completing the pre-flight checklist, loading the details in your GPS, and then completing the flight according to the directions received.

Can an epileptic be a firefighter?

Firefighters must meet medical and physical standards, and epilepsy can disqualify candidates depending on severity and control of seizures. Medical evaluations and clear seizure management are typically required, and individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy may be ineligible for firefighting roles due to safety concerns. Each department's requirements can vary, so consulting specific agency policies is recommended.

Can firefighters make $100,000?

Firefighters, including those in specialized roles like fire pilots or aerial firefighters, can earn $100,000 or more annually, especially with experience, overtime, and in high-cost-of-living areas. However, typical firefighter salaries vary widely depending on location, rank, and department size, with many earning less than this amount.

How long does it take to become a fire pilot?

Becoming a fire pilot typically requires several years of aviation experience, including obtaining a private pilot license, commercial pilot license, and specialized training in firefighting aircraft operations. Many fire pilots have at least 1,500 flight hours and relevant experience in fixed-wing or helicopter flying before qualifying for firefighting roles, which can take 3 to 5 years or more depending on training pace and opportunities.

What is the difference between Fire Pilot vs Firefighter?

AspectFire PilotFirefighter
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Firefighting trainingFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic license
Work EnvironmentAircraft, firefighting helicopters or planesFire stations, emergency scenes, buildings
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, aerial firefighting companiesMunicipal fire departments, rescue services

Fire Pilots operate aircraft to combat wildfires from the air, requiring pilot licenses and specialized firefighting training. Firefighters work on the ground, handling rescue and suppression tasks, and need firefighting certifications. Both roles are vital in firefighting but differ significantly in work environment and required credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado? For Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Pilot jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Fire Pilot jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Fire Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Fire Pilot job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $137,661 per year, or $66.2 per hour.
Process Engineer

Process Engineer

Agilent

Frederick, CO • On-site

$67K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Agilent Technologies rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Description

Agilent inspires and supports discoveries that advance the quality of life. We provide life science, diagnostic and applied market laboratories worldwide with instruments, services, consumables, applications and expertise. Agilent enables customers to gain the answers and insights they seek ---- so they can do what they do best: improve the world around us. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.


Want to take your knowledge and experience further? Ready to provide technical leadership and make key decisions? This is your opportunity - not only to join a committed, professional, and forward-thinking team but also to lead in the design and implementation of complex manufacturing processes and transform broad concepts into structured results-focused projects.


Join a growing team with this exciting new opportunity for Process Engineer working on development of new technologies for oligonucleotide production. Work on a dynamic, fast-paced, large capacity oligonucleotide API production facility design and construction project. Contribute to the growing industry of oligonucleotide (DNA-RNA) based therapeutics.


Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

  • Lead for lab and pilot scale development testing of evaporation and drying technology. Responsible for design of experiments, benchtop and pilot scale equipment procurement and operation, analytical testing of equipment, and summarization of data and results. Responsible for engineering, operations, and maintenance requirements for large scale process equipment.
  • Lead for development of new processes and unit operations. Responsible for process modeling and consulted on process fit and throughput assessments. Responsible for planning and operating lab scale and pilot equipment for development of new unit operations. Generate reports for engineering teams to specify equipment based on lab scale development operations.
  • Responsible for process design review for large capital projects, including user requirements specifications development, P&IDs, layouts, and equipment specifications.
  • Responsible for equipment requirements definition and procurement support, including equipment and instrumentation specification/selection, equipment procurement, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, qualification, and turn-over to manufacturing.
  • Consulted on Automation/Controls design, including instrumentation selection, equipment interface, and equipment module / phase design.
  • Support Chemical Development in the development, characterization, and scaleup of innovative Oligonucleotide production processes and technologies.
  • Support EHS activities including PHA, PSSR, and PSM compliance.
Qualifications

REQUIRED:


Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent engineering education/experience.


DESIRED:


2+ years of combined experience in pharma/biopharma, fine chemicals or food manufacturing industries to include experience with P&IDs, facility layouts, mass and energy balances, solvent handling, equipment design, user requirement specifications (URSs).


2+ years of experience with medium to large-sized projects through all phases, including design, design review, process hazard analysis, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and qualification.


Familiarity with current ASME BPE sanitary piping and equipment design standards, electrical standards such as National Fire Protection Association / National Electrical Code (NFPA 70 / NEC), and International Fire and Building Code


Experience in laboratory environment including laboratory notebook data integrity and good documentation practices, chemical and solvent handling, and operation of analytical testing instrumentation including HPLC, GC, and UV-Vis.
Internships or co-ops in the biopharma or chemical industry a plus. Engineering, communication, and organizational skills to support the safe, efficient, and compliant design, construction, and startup of an API manufacturing facility.


Self-motivated, hands-on problem solver with the ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams, including process development, manufacturing, validation, quality, safety, and project management personnel.

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule. Applications for this job will be accepted until at least June 9, 2026 or until the job is no longer posted.The full-time equivalent pay range for this position is $67,760.00 - $105,875.00/yr plus eligibility for bonus, stock and benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locationsAgilent Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and merit-based employer that values individuals of all backgrounds at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. Agilent Technologies, Inc., is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive in the workplace where everyone is welcome, and strives to support candidates with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the application or interview process or have questions about workplace accessibility, please email job_posting@agilent.com or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.Travel Required: 35% of the TimeShift: DayDuration: No End DateJob Function: Manufacturing

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