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Senior Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Sr. Pilot Plant Technician will work onsite at our state of art Innovation and Manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, NC. Will support the Research & Development (R&D) department by conducting ...

The Sr. Pilot Plant Technician will work onsite at our state of art Innovation and Manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, NC. Will support the Research & Development (R&D) department by conducting ...

The Sr. Pilot Plant Technician will support the Technical Services department by conducting experiments employing the rigors of food/pharmaceutical sciences and/or engineering. The Sr. Technician ...

Pilot Techs, Sr Pilot Techs, and Supervisors. Individuals MUST have HD ROV experience. * Must have experience * Must be US Citizen / US Perm Resident * HD ROV experience a must

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Senior Pilot Plant Technician L3 Location: Dallas, TX Department: Pilot Plant Operations Reports To: Ops Manager (Demo Plant) Position Summary The Pilot Plant Technician is responsible for operating ...

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Senior Pilot information

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$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior pilot in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges faced by Senior Pilots when managing multi-crew operations?

Senior Pilots often oversee multi-crew flight operations, which require excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. Coordinating with co-pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff while maintaining safety standards can present complexities, especially during irregular operations or in high-stress situations. Senior Pilots are also responsible for mentoring junior crew members and ensuring adherence to evolving regulations, which adds additional layers to their day-to-day responsibilities. Successfully managing these aspects is key to ensuring smooth, safe, and efficient flights.

What are Senior Pilots?

Senior Pilots are highly experienced aviators who typically hold advanced certifications and have accumulated thousands of flight hours. They often serve as captains on commercial, cargo, or military flights and may be responsible for supervising other pilots. In addition to flying aircraft, Senior Pilots play a significant role in training, mentoring junior pilots, and ensuring flight operations adhere to safety standards. Their expertise is crucial for handling complex flight situations and making important decisions during flights.

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

To thrive as a Senior Pilot, you need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), extensive flight experience, and deep knowledge of aviation regulations and procedures. Familiarity with advanced avionics, flight management systems, and aircraft type ratings is typically required. Leadership, situational awareness, and decisive communication are crucial soft skills for managing crew and ensuring passenger safety. These skills and qualifications are essential for safely operating complex aircraft, handling emergencies, and maintaining high standards in commercial aviation.

What is the difference between Senior Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectSenior PilotCommercial Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, additional seniority and experienceCommercial Pilot Certificate, specific to commercial flying
Work EnvironmentOften in leadership roles, overseeing flight operationsFlying for hire, transporting passengers or cargo
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, private operators, corporate flight departmentsCharter companies, cargo carriers, tour operators

While both Senior Pilots and Commercial Pilots hold commercial licenses, Senior Pilots typically have more experience and may take on leadership roles within flight operations. Commercial Pilots focus on flying for hire, often with less seniority. The main difference lies in experience level and responsibilities, with Senior Pilots often supervising or mentoring less experienced pilots.

What cities are hiring for Senior Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Senior Pilot job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs? The most popular types of Pilot jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Pilot jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Pilot job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Sr. Pilot - Global

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

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


Sierra Nevada Corporation rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 59 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Are you looking to use your pilot experience to support and protect heroes? Join us! As a Senior Pilot, you will lead complex missions and provide strategic direction in operational planning and execution. You will oversee junior pilots, ensure adherence to safety and regulatory standards, and perform advanced piloting duties in various scenarios including experimental test flights and special mission training. Your role involves significant leadership responsibilities and direct contribution to the success of high-stakes missions.
The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains - air, land, sea, space and cyber.
Responsibilities:

  • Lead and execute complex flight missions across diverse operational environments.
  • Supervise and mentor junior pilots, ensuring their continuous professional development.
  • Conduct and oversee experimental test flights, providing critical feedback for aircraft development.
  • Ensure mission readiness through detailed planning, risk assessment, and coordination.
  • Monitor and enforce compliance with safety protocols and aviation regulations.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for mission-critical communication and coordination.
  • Review and analyze flight data and mission outcomes for continuous improvement.
  • Facilitate training programs and drills to maintain a high state of preparedness.
  • Liaise with engineering teams to address and resolve technical issues.
  • Participate in strategic planning and operational decision-making processes.
Qualifications You Must Have:
  • Minimum of 3,000 hours of total flight time.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument and multi-engine ratings.
  • Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
  • Extensive knowledge of advanced aviation systems and regulations.
  • FAA issued Second Class Medical Certificate.
  • Ability to pass a FAA/Military Pilot Background Check and mandatory drug and alcohol screen.
  • A minimum of 1500 hours total fixed-wing as pilot-in-command (PIC) time in a multi-engine turbo prop aircraft, jet aircraft, or combination thereof in aircraft with GTOW 12,500 or greater.
  • Note: PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. SNC considers only pilot time in fixed wing aircraft toward minimum qualifications. This does not include simulator, helicopter, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, RIO, EWO, WSO, NFO, or Special Crew.
Qualifications We Prefer:
  • Military flight training background.
  • Experience in leadership roles within combat or operational missions.
  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification.
  • Advanced degrees in aviation or aerospace disciplines.
  • Experience with experimental and advanced aircraft systems.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.
  • Recent mission completion and/or prior service.
  • US Military survival and/or physiological training.
  • Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense, or US Military.
  • 2000 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in-command (PIC) or second-in-command (SIC) in a multi-engine turbo-prop aircraft, jet aircraft, or combination thereof with GTOW 12,500 or greater.
Essential Functions:
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
  • Ability to remain seated and operate flight controls for extended periods.
  • Frequent travel required; ability to be on-call for missions.
  • Ability to work in potentially hazardous or high-stress environments.
  • Must possess fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for operating aircraft controls.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Must be able to hear and respond to audio cues in loud environments.
  • Capacity to work in an office or hybrid environment when not on missions.
This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs. SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more. IMPORTANT NOTICE: To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances. SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We're known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation's most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team! SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

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