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Flight Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Pivotal

Flight Test Operator I

Palo Alto, CA

$80K - $90K/yr

Conduct UAV flight testing with Flight Testing Team at test sites (you may do up to 25% travel, surveying sites or training * A flexible work schedule may be an option Ex: 10hrs -12 hrs/day for 4 ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or experience operating unmanned aircraft. * Background ...

Pivotal

Flight Test Operator I

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Conduct UAV flight testing with Flight Testing Team at test sites (you may do up to 25% travel, surveying sites or training * A flexible work schedule may be an option Ex: 10hrs -12 hrs/day for 4 ...

Pivotal

Flight Test Operator I

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Conduct UAV flight testing with Flight Testing Team at test sites (you may do up to 25% travel, surveying sites or training * A flexible work schedule may be an option Ex: 10hrs -12 hrs/day for 4 ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or experience operating unmanned aircraft. * Background ...

Icarus

Flight Test Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Test Engineer makes sure every Icarus flight produces clean, trustworthy engineering ... FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or experience operating unmanned aircraft. * Background ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe that the defense, commercial, and ... As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and ...

SpaceX

Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Support live test and flight operations in role of primary console operator * Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure, across multi-disciplinary systems * Support vehicle ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · Hybrid

$203K - $280K/yr

We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe that the defense, commercial, and ... As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and ...

SpaceX

Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Flight)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Support live test and flight operations in role of primary console operator * Exercise risk-conscious decision-making skills under high pressure, across multi-disciplinary systems * Support vehicle ...

Elroy Air

Flight Sciences Engineer

Byron, CA · On-site

We are a team of builders, engineers, and operators who believe that the defense, commercial, and ... As a Flight Sciences Engineer at Elroy Air, you will own performance analysis, flight dynamics, and ...

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Showing results 21-40

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Flight Operator information

See California salary details

$14

$27

$46

How much do flight operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight operator in California is $27.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.94 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight operator?

Flight Operators are professionals responsible for managing and coordinating the logistical and operational aspects of flights. Their duties typically include flight planning, monitoring aircraft movements, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and communicating with pilots and air traffic control. They play a crucial role in ensuring flights operate safely, efficiently, and on schedule. Flight Operators may work for airlines, private charter companies, or government agencies, and often work in shifts to provide 24/7 coverage.

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

To thrive as a Flight Operator, you need a solid understanding of aviation regulations, flight planning, and air traffic control procedures, often supported by a relevant degree or certification in aviation management. Familiarity with flight scheduling software, dispatch systems, and weather monitoring tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating with pilots, crew, and ground staff. These skills ensure safe, efficient, and compliant flight operations in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.

What are some common challenges faced by flight operators and how are they typically addressed?

Flight Operators often face challenges such as coordinating flight schedules amid rapidly changing weather conditions, managing communication between pilots and ground crews, and ensuring strict compliance with aviation regulations. These challenges are typically addressed through advanced planning, the use of specialized flight operations software, and close collaboration with air traffic controllers and maintenance teams. Strong organizational and decision-making skills are essential, as is the ability to adapt quickly to unforeseen events to ensure safety and efficiency.

What cities in California are hiring for Flight Operator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Flight Operator job openings:

Flight Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,100 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Flight Test Engineer

Poseidon Aerospace

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace:
Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft; Heron, a seaplane, and Egret, a STOL aircraft; each capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.
As a Flight Test Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will lead the planning, preparation, and execution of flight and ground test campaigns across all Poseidon Aerospace flight platforms . You will bridge the gap between design engineering and real-world operations, taking full vehicle platforms from the laboratory environments straight to the flight line. This role requires a systems-level understanding of aircraft, a highly structured and safety-first approach to test execution, and the ability to analyze complex telemetry data into clear, actionable engineering results.
Responsibilities
  • Test Planning & Coordination: Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and functional hazard analyses (FHA) for full-scale autonomous aircraft systems and subsystems.
  • Flight Line Execution: Act as a Test Director or Responsible Engineer during ground runs, taxi tests, and envelope-expansion flight test events.
  • Data & Telemetry Analysis: Monitor real-time telemetry during flights. Collect, process, and interpret flight test data using scripting tools to assess vehicle performance, stability, and control, overall system performance, engine performance, and fuel system performance.
  • Instrumentation & Integration: Define requirements for and support the installation of flight test instrumentation (FTI), sensors (strain gauges, load cells, pitot-static systems), and data acquisition systems onboard the test assets.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Avionics, Propulsion, Flight Controls, and Structural design, Flight Sciences, and Airplane Configuration Design teams to define objective pass/fail validation criteria.
  • Safety & Operations: Lead pre-flight briefings and post-test debriefs. Enforce strict safety protocols on the flight line, identifying operational risks and implementing rapid mitigation strategies.
  • Reporting & Documentation: Maintain meticulous traceability between regulatory/design requirements and test results. Write formal flight test reports documenting system anomalies, performance metrics, and airworthiness findings.
Qualifications
  • Experience: 5+ years as an experimental flight test engineer, or in aerospace systems validation, or in UAS/aviation flight operations.
  • Education: Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent experience
  • Airplane Familiarization: Overall airplane-level familiarization, including aircraft operations and performance across fixed-wing platforms.
  • Testing Rigor: Proven track record drafting detailed flight test cards, managing test configurations, and operating within highly structured flight test environments.
  • Data Tools: Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar languages for processing, reducing, and visualizing large flight-log datasets.
  • Systems Familiarity: Strong foundational knowledge of data acquisition systems (DAQ), telemetry hardware, and sensor calibration.
  • Field Readiness: Hands-on problem solver comfortable troubleshooting complex electrical, mechanical, or software anomalies on the flight line. Willingness to work outdoors at active test ranges under varying weather conditions.
Bonus points for
  • FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate or a private pilot's license (PPL).
  • Experience making aviation-standard VHF radio calls and communicating clearly in high-workload control room environments.
  • Background working with heavy or large-scale remotely operated vehicles / autonomous systems (Group 3-5 UAS).
  • Familiarity with FAA experimental certification processes, airworthiness standards, or military test protocols (MIL-STD).
  • Basic CAD experience for designing simple test brackets, fixtures, or harness layouts.

What you get from us
  • Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
  • Relocation support if applicable
  • Employee Health Benefit Plans
  • 6% Retirement matching
  • Flexible PTO
  • Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
  • AI tools and subscriptions

Even if you don't meet every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. At Poseidon Aerospace, we value diverse perspectives and are always looking for talented individuals with unconventional backgrounds.

Apply