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Pilot Job Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Poseidon Aerospace

Pilot

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

You'll lead both developmental and operational flight testing, acting as the remote pilot in command (RPIC) while coordinating test logistics, flight procedures, and safety operations. This role ...

US Department of the Air Force

CA

$76K/yr

GS-2181-12 (Airplane Pilot/Helicopter Pilot): Applicant must possess a USAF Pilot rating, hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order and have a minimum of 750 total military flight time in the ...

i3

Research Pilot

Edwards, CA

$170K - $190K/yr

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe operations are provided as tasked. Aircraft are operated to meet Agency platform, research, and support ...

Integration Innovation, Inc.

Research Pilot

Edwards, CA · On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe operations are provided as tasked. Aircraft are operated to meet Agency platform, research, and support ...

Orange County Fire Authority

Fire Pilot

Irvine, CA

$122K - $164K/yr

The Fire Pilot is distinguished from the Chief Fire Pilot which performs lead journey-level pilot duties and is responsible for supervisory activities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS To view a full summary of ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

CA · On-site

$76K/yr

GS-2181-12 (Airplane Pilot/Helicopter Pilot): Applicant must possess a USAF Pilot rating, hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order and have a minimum of 750 total military flight time in the ...

Integration Innovation, Inc.

Research Pilot

Edwards, CA

$170K - $190K/yr

Pilots will fly sorties for NASA and NASA customers to ensure that quality products and safe operations are provided as tasked. Aircraft are operated to meet Agency platform, research, and support ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting skills, and the ability to analyze aerial data. Your key responsibilities will include flying drones ...

TSMG

Drone Pilot

San Francisco, CA

As a Drone Pilot, you should have a strong understanding of drone technology, excellent piloting skills, and the ability to analyze aerial data. Your key responsibilities will include flying drones ...

SkyWest Airlines

First Officer Pilot

San Diego, CA

Primary Job Duties To be considered for a pilot position, you must: Be at least 21 years of age Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-Engine and Instrument Ratings English Proficiency ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPilot Job JobsPilot Job Jobs in California

Pilot Job information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$129.2K

$198.4K

How much do pilot job jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for pilot job in California is $129,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,700.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Pilot Job vs Flight Attendant?

AspectPilot JobFlight Attendant
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificateCabin Crew Certification, Safety Training
Work EnvironmentPilot cockpit, flight decks, cockpit controlsPassenger cabin, aircraft interior, customer service areas
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, charter companies, cargo carriersAirlines, private jets, corporate flight services
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both Pilot Jobs and Flight Attendant roles are essential in the aviation industry, they differ significantly in responsibilities, certifications, and work environment. Pilots operate the aircraft and require advanced licenses, whereas flight attendants focus on passenger safety and comfort, requiring safety and customer service training. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right career path in aviation.

What are popular job titles related to Pilot Job jobs in California?

For Pilot Job jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pilot Job jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Pilot Job jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Pilot Job jobs?

Cities in California with the most Pilot Job job openings:

Pilot Job jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Job job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,202 per year, or $62.1 per hour.

Pilot

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Poseidon Aerospace
See more jobs at Poseidon Aerospaceexternal

$80 - $100/hr

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Poseidon Aerospace: Poseidon Aerospace builds and operates unmanned planes for commercial logistics and defense missions. Our two full-size fixed-wing platforms - Heron, a seaplane, and Egret, a STOL aircraft - can carry two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. We are headquartered in San Francisco with satellite offices in Washington, DC and Maine.

As a Flight Operations Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will plan, execute, and oversee flight operations for our next-generation autonomous aircraft. You'll lead both developmental and operational flight testing, acting as the remote pilot in command (RPIC) while coordinating test logistics, flight procedures, and safety operations. This role bridges engineering and flight, requiring a deep understanding of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and the ability to translate technical objectives into safe, efficient, and repeatable flight operations.

Responsibilities
  • Define and manage flight test plans, objectives, and procedures for aircraft development and validation
  • Operate Poseidon aircraft as the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) during flight testing and operational demonstrations
  • Lead flight readiness reviews, preflight briefings, and postflight debriefings with engineering and test teams
  • Work closely with avionics, propulsion, and airframe engineers to ensure flight systems are configured, tested, and documented correctly
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency checklists, and flight manuals
  • Analyze flight data and provide feedback to engineering teams for system tuning, safety improvements, and performance validation
  • Ensure all operations comply with FAA regulations and internal safety management protocols
  • Plan and coordinate ground operations, range logistics, and communications infrastructure for test campaigns
  • Inform the long-term operational strategy, including autonomous and remote-pilot operational concepts
Ideal Qualifications
  • Experience operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in test or operational environments
  • Strong understanding of flight test principles, safety management, and system validation
  • Knowledge of airspace coordination, mission planning software, and regulatory requirements (Part 107, COA, or experimental certification)
  • Familiarity with telemetry systems, flight data logging, and postflight analysis
  • Ability to write and maintain detailed test documentation, SOPs, and operational guidelines
  • Comfortable working in a hands-on test environment with evolving aircraft configurations
  • Collaborative mindset with strong communication skills across engineering and operations teams
  • Ability to balance disciplined flight operations with startup-level agility and decision-making
Nice to have
  • Experience as an RPIC for large or complex UAS platforms (Group 3–5, e.g., Reaper, Global Hawk, or similar)
  • Background in aerospace, mechanical, or systems engineering
  • Experience with flight test instrumentation and telemetry ground stations
  • Knowledge of remote pilot interface systems, autopilot tuning, and mission control workflows
  • Experience supporting or leading field test campaigns for new aircraft platforms
  • Manned or unmanned pilot experience beyond Part 107
  • Familiarity with X-Plane or other simulation environments

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.

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