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Temporary Chief Flight Instructor Jobs in Washington, DC

Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R5150)

Washington, DC · On-site

$205K - $307K/yr

You will work across engineering, product, flight operations, programs, and government stakeholders ... Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment ...

Shield AI

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R5150)

Washington, DC

$205K - $307K/yr

You will work across engineering, product, flight operations, programs, and government stakeholders ... Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment ...

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All JobsChief Flight Instructor JobsTemporary Chief Flight Instructor JobsTemporary Chief Flight Instructor Jobs in Washington, DC

Temporary Chief Flight Instructor information

See Washington, DC salary details

$28.3K

$107.2K

$164.8K

How much do temporary chief flight instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary chief flight instructor in Washington, DC is $107,166.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,100.00 and $126,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary chief flight instructor?

A Temporary Chief Flight Instructor is a qualified individual appointed for a limited period to oversee the training and supervision of flight instructors and student pilots at a flight school or aviation training organization. They are responsible for ensuring that all flight training activities comply with regulatory standards and organizational policies. This role often includes conducting instructor checkrides, updating training curricula, and maintaining safety protocols. Temporary appointments may occur when the permanent Chief Flight Instructor is unavailable or when there is a transitional period in the organization.

What are some common challenges faced by a temporary chief flight instructor, and how can they be managed effectively?

As a Temporary Chief Flight Instructor, one common challenge is quickly adapting to the existing training programs and ensuring continuity for both students and instructors. You may also need to address gaps in documentation or standardization left by your predecessor. Effective communication, proactive engagement with the flight training team, and regular briefings help maintain safety standards and instructional quality. Building rapport with staff and students early on can also ease the transition and foster a supportive learning environment.

What is the difference between Temporary Chief Flight Instructor vs Flight Instructor?

AspectTemporary Chief Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and often a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII)Commercial Pilot License and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentLeads flight training programs, manages instructors, and oversees safety protocolsProvides individual flight training to students in aircraft or simulators
Employer & Industry UsageFlight schools, aviation academies, and training centersFlight schools, flying clubs, and aviation training providers

The Temporary Chief Flight Instructor typically holds advanced certifications and manages training programs, while the Flight Instructor focuses on direct student instruction. Both roles are essential in aviation training but differ in responsibilities and leadership scope.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary chief flight instructor?

To thrive as a Temporary Chief Flight Instructor, you need advanced piloting skills, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating, and significant instructional experience. Familiarity with flight training management systems, FAA regulations, and safety protocols is typically required, along with relevant certifications such as CFII or MEI. Leadership, strong communication, and organizational abilities are crucial soft skills for mentoring instructors and ensuring effective training programs. These competencies ensure safe, compliant flight operations and high-quality instruction for student pilots and staff.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Flight Instructor jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Chief Flight Instructor jobs in Washington, DC are:
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Temporary Chief Flight Instructor jobs near you

Chief Engineer, Autonomy (R5150)

Shield AI

Washington, DC • On-site

$205K - $307K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Shield AI is seeking a Chief Engineer of Autonomy to lead the technical execution of autonomy capabilities supporting one of the most important military aviation initiatives of our generation. 

As the senior technical leader for Shield AI's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) autonomy efforts, you will help define how autonomous aircraft operate alongside crewed fighters in contested environments, enabling a new era of air superiority through trusted, scalable autonomy. 

This role carries end-to-end responsibility for technical vision, architecture, execution, flight test, operational integration, and customer success. You will work across engineering, product, flight operations, programs, and government stakeholders to transition autonomy from development to operational capability at scale. 

This is not a research position. This is a position focused on delivering mission-ready autonomy systems that perform in real-world operational environments. 

What You'll Do:

  • Serve as the senior technical authority for Shield AI's CCA autonomy efforts, accountable for technical strategy, architecture, execution, customer engagement, and mission effectiveness. 

  • Lead the development, integration, and deployment of operational autonomy capabilities from concept through flight test, operational evaluation, and fielding. 

  • Define and evolve autonomy architectures spanning mission planning, perception, decision-making, collaborative behaviors, human-machine teaming, and platform integration. 

  • Drive engineering rigor and technical governance across the program, ensuring sound architectural decisions, disciplined execution, and mission-focused outcomes. 

  • Partner closely with program leadership to balance risk, schedule, operational requirements, and customer priorities. 

  • Lead technical readiness for major demonstrations, flight tests, program milestones, operational assessments, and customer engagements. 

  • Direct verification, validation, and operational integration efforts required to establish trust, performance, safety, and mission effectiveness. 

  • Build and mentor a world-class technical organization consisting of chief engineers, architects, principal engineers, autonomy developers, and mission domain experts. 

  • Help shape the future of autonomous air combat by influencing requirements, concepts of operation, technical roadmaps, and next-generation autonomy capabilities. 

Required Qualifications:

  • 15+ years of engineering experience developing complex aerospace, defense, autonomy, weapons, or mission-critical systems. 

  • Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Chief Architect, Technical Fellow, Technical Program Manager, or equivalent technical leadership role. 

  • Demonstrated success leading large multidisciplinary engineering teams through development, integration, test, and deployment of operational systems. 

  • Proven ability to lead across software, systems, AI/ML, simulation, mission systems, flight test, and operational stakeholders. 

  • Experience delivering major defense products with significant technical complexity and customer visibility. 

  • Experience working directly with Air Force, Navy, Operational Users, Program Executive Offices, or major defense acquisition programs. 

  • Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence government, military, and industry leaders. 

  • Experience operating effectively in rapidly evolving, high-consequence environments. 

  • Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), advanced aviation autonomy programs, or related initiatives. 

  • Experience with crewed-uncrewed teaming, mission autonomy, autonomous mission systems, air combat autonomy, or collaborative autonomous systems. 

  • Background in military aviation, advanced aerospace systems, weapons systems, mission systems integration, or combat aircraft development. 

$205,000 - $307,000 a year
#LI-ED
#LF
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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