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Weekend Chief Flight Instructor Jobs in California

Medium

Chief Systems Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$190 - $225/hr

... flight projectcarriedfrom SRR through on-orbit operations. * Constellation program experience ... This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed ...

Advanced Air LLC

King Air 350 - Check Pilot

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$65K - $178K/yr

This position reports directly to the Chief Pilot and works closely with the Director of Training ... Operate as PIC and Flight Instructor till ready for Check Pilot Duties * Operate as PIC and Check ...

ADVANCED AIR LLC

King Air 350 - Check Pilot

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$65K - $178K/yr

This position reports directly to the Chief Pilot and works closely with the Director of Training ... Operate as PIC and Flight Instructor till ready for Check Pilot Duties * Operate as PIC and Check ...

ADVANCED AIR, LLC

King Air 350 - Check Pilot

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$65K - $178K/yr

This position reports directly to the Chief Pilot and works closely with the Director of Training ... Operate as PIC and Flight Instructor till ready for Check Pilot Duties * Operate as PIC and Check ...

New

Icarus

Engineer (YC Track)

El Segundo, CA · On-site

If you spent this weekend in a room full of people talking about what they are going to build, and ... Build, test, break, and refine flight hardware and flight software * Support integration ...

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Weekend Chief Flight Instructor information

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

AspectWeekend Chief Flight InstructorFlight Instructor
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and often a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII)Private Pilot Certificate, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentPrimarily weekends, overseeing flight training operations, managing other instructorsDaily flight training, instructing students, conducting solo flights
Employer & Industry UsageFlight schools, flight academies, primarily weekend operationsFlight schools, flying clubs, individual instructors

The Weekend Chief Flight Instructor typically holds advanced certifications and manages flight training during weekends, often overseeing other instructors. In contrast, a Flight Instructor primarily conducts flight lessons and solo training sessions. The roles differ mainly in scope and responsibilities, with the Weekend Chief focusing on administrative oversight during weekends, while the Flight Instructor focuses on direct instruction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Flight Instructor jobs in California? The most popular types of Chief Flight Instructor jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Weekend Chief Flight Instructor jobs? Cities in California with the most Weekend Chief Flight Instructor job openings:
Weekend Chief Flight Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weekend Chief Flight Instructor job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Flight Termination System (Starship)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. MECHANICAL ENGINEER, FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM (STARSHIP)
As a member of the Flight Termination System team, you will have the exciting opportunity to be responsible for the design of the Starship Flight Termination System hardware and explosives! You will demonstrate extreme ownership through deep understanding of the functionality, design, and requirements from concept to delivery of hardware. You will have ownership over the entire development process of Flight Termination System hardware including hardware design, analysis, production facility layout, electromechanical assembly, live ordnance assembly, environmental testing, and vehicle integration. As an extreme owner you will be responsible for interfacing with regulatory partners to implement, tailor, and challenge space industry regulatory requirements to achieve the best outcomes. Our development timelines are aggressive and the Flight Termination System is one of the few safety critical systems on the vehicle. The hardware that makes up the FTS requires extremely high levels of rigor and you will solve very challenging problems at the intersection of safety critical hardware and high explosives.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Develop state-of-the-art, manufacturable explosive devices and robust hardware integration designs (system controllers, electronic safe and arm devices, destruct charges, and integrated detonators) for the Starship and Super Heavy stage Flight Termination System. Question requirements, delete parts and processes, simplify/optimize, accelerate, and automate component deliveries
  • Validate reliability of hardware and designs with rigorous testing in shock, vibration, thermal cycling, climatic and live fire testing. Design experiments to ground analysis, develop fixturing, and create technical reports based on results
  • Partner with manufacturing, production, testing, and supply chain to achieve SpaceX's highest-yet component build rate, striving for high factory yield and automotive volume/cost. Accelerate component delivery to >1 full stacked launch vehicle per month
  • Generate and maintain detailed drawings, component specifications, analysis and risk assessments
  • Spearhead root cause investigations that arise in development, production, test, integration and launch, implement corrective actions to prevent repeat failures
  • Set the standard for highly reliable component design and qualification testing to strict regulatory standards
  • Achieve zero in-flight anomalies of flight termination system components. Reduce component-caused production and launch delays, and minimize containments.
  • Act as the chief engineer, collaborating with stage, avionics, and flight safety teams to arrive at the simplest solution for the vehicle. Inform system-level architecture, with component capabilities and vulnerabilities in mind, to minimize cost of payload to orbit

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in mechanical design and/or hands-on manufacturing

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for problem solving, and desire to optimize modern rocket production and launch processes
  • 5+ years of experience designing and analyzing mechanical systems via professional work experience, project/research-based student experience, or a combination of both
  • Experience with LSDYNA/ANSYS, BlastX, CHEETA, and/or Hydrocode
  • Master's degree or 5+ years of professional experience in mechanical or aerospace engineering
  • Experience designing, building, testing and troubleshooting mechanical systems
  • Strong project management skills and effective communication of technical concepts across multi-disciplinary teams
  • Hands-on experience with high voltage, electronics, or explosives
  • Leadership experience on a project or research team
  • Experience using test instrumentation and control components (e.g. pressure transducers, thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors, relays, solenoid valves, etc.)
  • Knowledge of electro-mechanical devices, actuators, motors, or explosives
  • Understanding of fundamental principles of explosives, solid mechanics, and dynamics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
  • Must be willing to handle and test high explosive devices
  • Must be willing and able to obtain ATF explosives clearance
  • Must be willing to travel (<25%)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:Pay range:
Sr. Mechanical Engineer: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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