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Raft Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Raft ( is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S ... Ability to guide teams and mentor junior members * Understanding of data security practices

Lead Engineer

Mclean, VA ยท On-site

$175K - $225K/yr

Raft ( is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S ... Mentor and guide engineers while setting technical direction and best practices for AI/ML ...

Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

Raft ( is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S ... Prepare technical documentation, implementation guides, architecture documentation, and operational ...

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Raft Guide information

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$7

$17

$29

How much do raft guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for raft guide in the United States is $17.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a raft guide?

Raft guides are trained professionals who lead and navigate groups of people on river rafting trips. They are responsible for the safety of their passengers, steering the raft, giving instructions, and ensuring everyone has an enjoyable experience. Raft guides are knowledgeable about river conditions, first aid, and rescue techniques. They often work for outdoor adventure companies and must have strong communication and leadership skills.

What is the difference between Raft Guide vs Kayak Instructor?

AspectRaft GuideKayak Instructor
CertificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, rafting guides licenseWilderness First Aid, CPR, kayaking instructor certification
Work EnvironmentRivers, outdoor water bodies, group settingsRivers, lakes, indoor/outdoor training facilities
Industry UsageTourism, adventure sports, outdoor recreationOutdoor sports education, adventure tourism
Common Search/ComparisonRaft Guide vs Kayak Instructor

Both roles involve water-based outdoor activities and require certifications like First Aid and CPR. Raft Guides typically work on larger group trips on rivers, focusing on safety and navigation, while Kayak Instructors often teach individuals or small groups, emphasizing technique and skills. The work environments overlap but differ in equipment and focus, making them related but distinct roles within outdoor water sports.

How much do raft guides make?

Raft guides typically earn between $200 and $400 per day during the peak season, with annual salaries ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on experience, location, and the number of trips guided. Many guides also receive tips from clients, which can significantly increase overall earnings. Certifications in water safety and guiding skills can improve earning potential.

How do you become a raft guide?

To become a raft guide, individuals typically need to complete safety training, learn river navigation skills, and obtain certifications such as First Aid and CPR. Gaining experience on the water and demonstrating strong communication and leadership skills are also important for securing a guiding position.

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

To thrive as a Raft Guide, you need strong paddling skills, river navigation knowledge, and first aid/CPR certification, often supported by completion of professional guide training. Familiarity with safety equipment, rescue techniques, and communication radios is essential. Leadership, situational awareness, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are critical soft skills for guiding diverse groups safely. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring client safety, managing emergencies, and providing enjoyable outdoor experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by raft guides during a typical season?

Raft Guides often encounter rapidly changing river conditions, unpredictable weather, and the varying skill levels of guests. Managing safety while ensuring everyone has an enjoyable experience requires strong communication and quick decision-making. Additionally, guides need to maintain physical stamina for long days on the water and may be expected to assist with equipment maintenance or camp setup, depending on the outfitter. Teamwork and adaptability are essential to handle the dynamic nature of the job and to support both guests and fellow guides.
More about Raft Guide jobs
What cities are hiring for Raft Guide jobs? Cities with the most Raft Guide job openings:
What states have the most Raft Guide jobs? States with the most job openings for Raft Guide jobs include:
Infographic showing various Raft Guide job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,919 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Engineer

Raft Company Website

Colorado Springs, CO โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

This is a U.S. based position. All of the programs we support require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment. All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.
Who we are:
Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.
About the role:
As an Engineer, you will provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) by developing software in support of rapid agile development of defensive cyber solutions to protect, defend, and respond to both ground and space based cyber adversarial threats. You should be a leader and problem solver with a proven ability to deliver superior results as part of a high performing team in a fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for managing and monitoring installed hardware and software systems, assisting with network tap design and system survey to ensure data is properly sampled and transported, evaluating existing systems and assists with technical refreshes and lead and/or assist with hardware installation and software deployment at mission system sites.
What we are looking for:
  • Minimum 3 years of relevant hands-on experience
  • Experience in JIRA, Confluence, & Slack or Mattermost
  • Experience communicating with customers, stakeholders, and agile software development teams
  • Experience with requirements analysis, scaled agile framework, data analytics, risk management, and agile transformations
  • Technical experience in software development, systems engineering, integration, or release management
  • Able to obtain a Security+, or IAT II certification within 90 days of employment with Raft
  • Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, data science, software development or STEM related specialty

Highly preferred:
  • Relevant DoD and/or Industry work experience in Space Systems Command
  • Experience with Defensive Cyber Operations - Space (DCO-S) program office
  • Ability to guide teams and mentor junior members
  • Understanding of data security practices
  • Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong analytical skills
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
  • Any certification related to data management, data engineering, software development, cyber security or SAFe would be beneficial CCNA, Security+, CCNP, JNCIS-Sec, JNCDA or equivalent

Clearance Requirements:
  • Candidates must have and be able to maintain Secret security clearance

Salary Range: $90,0000.00 - $125,000.00
Work Type:
  • On-site in Colorado Springs, CO

What we will offer you:
  • Highly competitive salary
  • Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) and company match
  • Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
  • Education & training benefits
  • Generous Referral Bonuses
  • And More!

Our Vision Statement:
We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.
Our Customer Obsession:
We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.
How do we get there?
Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.
Raft's core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our "nadi" by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.