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Flight Test Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Staff Pilot Test

Edwards, CA · On-site

$214K - $321K/yr

Partners with Flight Ops Manager and Engineering team to ensure test team is conducting safe and effective ground and flight test operations * Collaborates with customer pilots * Engage with program ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Test Pilot

Concord, CA · On-site

$97K - $167K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation's Flight Research team is looking for a Test Pilot to operate research and development crewed and UAS platforms, with the primary focus of the Cessna Caravan program. Drawing ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Test Pilot

Concord, NH · On-site

$97 - $167/hr

Overview Joby Aviation's Flight Research team is looking for a Test Pilot to operate research and development crewed and UAS platforms, with the primary focus of the Cessna Caravan program. Drawing ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Test Pilot

Concord, CA

$97K - $167K/yr

Joby Aviation's Flight Research team is looking for a Test Pilot to operate research and development crewed and UAS platforms, with the primary focus of the Cessna Caravan program. Drawing on ...

Joby Aviation

Flight Research Test Pilot

Concord, CA

$97K - $167K/yr

Overview Joby Aviation's Flight Research team is looking for a Test Pilot to operate research and development crewed and UAS platforms, with the primary focus of the Cessna Caravan program. Drawing ...

Wisk

Staff Test Pilot

Hollister, CA · On-site

$159K - $199K/yr

As a member of our Flight Test team, you will be working closely with fellow test pilots, flight test technicians and flight test engineers as well as cognizant systems engineers and the ...

Wisk Aero

Staff Test Pilot

Hollister, CA · On-site

$159K - $199K/yr

As a member of our Flight Test team, you will be working closely with fellow test pilots, flight test technicians and flight test engineers as well as cognizant systems engineers and the ...

Wisk Aero LLC

Staff Test Pilot

Hollister, CA · On-site

$159 - $199/hr

As a member of our Flight Test team, you will be working closely with fellow test pilots, flight test technicians and flight test engineers as well as cognizant systems engineers and the ...

Wisk Aero

Staff Test Pilot

Hollister, CA · On-site

$159 - $199/hr

As a member of our Flight Test team, you will be working closely with fellow test pilots, flight test technicians and flight test engineers as well as cognizant systems engineers and the ...

Airbus

Test Pilot

Mobile, AL · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

The Test Pilot is responsible for ensuring the proper execution of ground and flight tests on A220 and A320 production aircraft.**Meet the team:**Our Engineers at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing ...

Northrop Grumman

Sr Staff Test Pilot

Melbourne, FL

$201K - $302K/yr

The CTP is a key participant in the flight test risk management process. Key Responsibilities: * Building and sustaining a cadre of skilled test pilots and production pilots to safely execute the ...

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Flight Test Pilot information

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How much do flight test pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight test pilot in the United States is $105,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight test pilot?

A Flight Test Pilot is responsible for flying and evaluating new or modified aircraft to assess their performance, safety, and compliance with regulations. They work closely with engineers to test systems, aerodynamics, and handling characteristics under various conditions. Their role involves executing test plans, documenting results, and providing critical feedback for aircraft development. Flight Test Pilots often have extensive experience in aviation, advanced training in aerodynamics and flight testing, and may hold military or engineering backgrounds.

What does a flight test pilot do?

A typical day for a Flight Test Pilot involves thorough pre-flight briefings with engineers and technicians, reviewing test objectives, meticulously planning flight profiles, and conducting test flights to evaluate aircraft performance, systems, and safety features. After each flight, the pilot collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to debrief, document results, and discuss any anomalies or findings. Besides flying, significant time is spent analyzing data, preparing reports, and refining test procedures. The role often requires adaptability and close teamwork, as flight test schedules and objectives can evolve based on weather, technical readiness, or program priorities.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a flight test pilot?

To thrive as a Flight Test Pilot, you need exceptional piloting skills, in-depth knowledge of aeronautical engineering, and a degree in a related field, often supplemented by military or advanced civilian test pilot school training. Familiarity with specialized flight data recording equipment, flight test instrumentation, and certification from organizations like the FAA or EASA is often required. Outstanding problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail distinguish top performers in this role. These qualifications are critical for safely conducting complex test flights, analyzing results, and ensuring new or modified aircraft meet rigorous safety and performance standards.

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Flight Test Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Test Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,110 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

Staff Pilot Test

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Edwards, CA • On-site

$214K - $321K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

87th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman's Test and Evaluation (T&E) organization is seeking a Staff Test Pilot for developmental test of military aircraft. Candidate may conduct demonstration flights with customers, government officials or other personnel to exhibit vehicle performance, flying qualities and system capabilities.

Responsibilities include developing test techniques, assisting in cockpit/workstation design, working with flight test engineers creating test plans, developing test products, evaluating systems in the laboratory environment, simulation, ground test, flight test, and reporting on test results. Selected candidate must successfully complete initial and recurrent training and qualifications as a basis for continued employment. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

This position is located 100% on-site at Edwards AFB, CA

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provides test pilot expertise to assigned programs; technology/research efforts to ensure man-machine interface issues and requirements are identified for new or modified aircraft designs

  • Plan, develop and execute test flights on aircraft to verify airworthiness and performance capability; validate and verify compliance with specifications and to determine operational effectiveness and/or suitability

  • Partners with Flight Ops Manager and Engineering team to ensure test team is conducting safe and effective ground and flight test operations

  • Collaborates with customer pilots

  • Engage with program IPTs and REs to ensure air vehicle and ground station designs/modifications are effective and suitable

  • Provides test pilot inputs at FRR, TRRs and SRBs ensuring safe conduct of all NGAS flight test missions

  • Ensures best practices and lessons learned are shared with other program pilots

  • Provides engineering test pilot expertise and safety guidance to flight test engineers for design definition, simulator flights, test planning, flight test techniques, test conduct, test reporting and proposal preparation

  • Provide test pilot inputs to System Safety to ensure safe conduct of flight test missions

  • Provides pilot inputs into development of preliminary flight manuals and aircrew checklists

  • Maintain proficiencies and currencies

  • Promotes active involvement in flight test professional societies and industry forums; fully supports Test Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Flight Test Safety Summit

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor degree plus 12 years of related experience OR Master's plus 10 years of related experience OR PhD plus 9 years of related experience.

  • Must be willing to obtain and maintain the appropriate medical clearance(s), as defined per the customer's contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment.

  • Must be willing to obtain and maintain all training qualifications, as needed per the customer's contracting requirements, for the duration of your employment.

  • Must have an active US Government secret clearance (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).

  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.

  • FAA commercial Multi Engine instrument rated pilot

  • Minimum of 1,500 hours of flight experience as Pilot in Command

  • Current FAA Class II Medical or higher

  • Military Test Pilot School (TPS) Graduate

  • Experience in flight testing, with ability to work with engineering to develop solutions to integration issues, and to bridge between the customer users and Northrop Grumman designers

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Current, proficient, and qualified in military aircraft

  • Current DoD Top Secret clearance

  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

  • Excellent communications skills, including the ability to brief test results to executive leadership

Primary Level Salary Range: $214,200.00 - $321,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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