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Military Test Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Staff Pilot Test

Edwards, CA · On-site

$214K - $321K/yr

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 ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Staff Pilot Test

Edwards, CA · On-site

$214K - $321K/yr

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 ...

Northrop Grumman

Sr Staff Test Pilot

Melbourne, FL

$201K - $302K/yr

Military Test Pilot School graduate of USNTPS, USAFTPS, Empire Test Pilots School, or EPNER * Your ability to transfer and maintain the final adjudicated government Top Secret clearance (DoD must be ...

Scaled Composites

Test Pilot

Mojave, CA · On-site

$199K - $299K/yr

As a Test Pilot at Scaled Composites, you'll play a vital role in providing technical support for ... Military TPS Graduate, highly preferred. Required Skills/Abilities: * Knowledgeable of Federal ...

Hermeus

Test Pilot

Boston, MA · On-site

$135 - $250/hr

Military or civilian flight test experience, or test pilot school graduate Preferred Skills and Experience * Instructor pilot experience * Knowledge of military or FAA Airworthiness requirements

Hermeus

Test Pilot

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$135K - $250K/yr

Military or civilian flight test experience, or test pilot school graduate Preferred Skills and Experience * Instructor pilot experience * Knowledge of military or FAA Airworthiness requirements

Hermeus

Test Pilot

Los Angeles, CA

$135K - $250K/yr

Military or civilian flight test experience, or test pilot school graduate Preferred Skills and Experience * Instructor pilot experience * Knowledge of military or FAA Airworthiness requirements

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Military Test Pilot information

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$105.1K

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How much do military test pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for military 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 military test pilot?

Military Test Pilots are highly trained aviators who conduct flight tests on new or modified military aircraft to evaluate their performance, handling, and safety. They work closely with engineers and designers to assess aircraft systems, identify any issues, and recommend improvements. Their role is critical in ensuring that military aircraft meet rigorous operational and safety standards before entering service. Military Test Pilots often have extensive flying experience and must complete specialized test pilot training programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a military test pilot?

To thrive as a Military Test Pilot, you need advanced piloting skills, a strong engineering background (often with a degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering), and completion of military test pilot school. Proficiency with flight testing software, simulation systems, and avionics testing equipment is typically required, along with security clearances. Exceptional decision-making, risk management, and communication skills help pilots work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and handle high-pressure situations. These skills ensure that new aircraft and systems are evaluated safely and accurately, directly impacting mission success and operational safety.

What are some of the unique challenges military test pilots face during aircraft evaluation flights?

Military test pilots frequently encounter unique challenges, such as operating prototype aircraft with unproven systems, managing unexpected technical anomalies, and executing complex test maneuvers under strict safety protocols. They must maintain rigorous attention to detail while documenting flight data, and work closely with engineers and ground crews to communicate findings and recommend modifications. This role requires a high level of adaptability and composure, as pilots often need to make rapid decisions in dynamic and sometimes unpredictable flight conditions.

What is the difference between Military Test Pilot vs Commercial Test Pilot?

AspectMilitary Test PilotCommercial Test Pilot
CredentialsMilitary pilot certification, specialized test pilot trainingCommercial pilot license, type ratings, test pilot certification
Work EnvironmentMilitary bases, defense contractors, aircraft testing facilitiesAircraft manufacturers, private testing facilities, commercial airlines
Employer & IndustryMilitary branches, defense industryAircraft manufacturers, private aerospace companies

Both Military Test Pilots and Commercial Test Pilots require specialized training and certifications. Military Test Pilots focus on testing military aircraft in defense settings, often working for the armed forces. Commercial Test Pilots test civilian aircraft for manufacturers or private companies, often in commercial environments. While their roles differ in purpose and environment, both careers demand high skill levels and rigorous testing experience.

How do I become a military test pilot?

To become a military test pilot, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related field, along with extensive flight experience and a military pilot certification. They must complete specialized training, pass physical and medical exams, and often gain experience as a military pilot before qualifying for test pilot school, which provides advanced skills in aircraft testing and evaluation.

How much do military test pilots make?

Military test pilots typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, rank, and years of service. Advanced skills, certifications, and working with high-performance aircraft can influence salary levels, and many also receive additional benefits such as housing allowances and retirement plans.
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Military Test Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Military Test Pilot job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 81% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,110 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

Staff Pilot Test

Edwards, CA • On-site

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Space Research Administration • 10K+ employees

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 365 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 544 rated manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Northrop Grumman Corporationexternal

$214K - $321K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription
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. 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 - $321,200.00
The 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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