10 of the Most Popular Types of Experimental Test Pilot Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Experimental Test Pilot jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Experimental Test Pilot Jobs

• Entry Level Flight Test Engineer

  Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000

  Entry Level Flight Test Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer jobs pay between $105,500 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Entry Level Flight Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Test Pilot

  Salary range: $84,500 - $107,500

  A test pilot flies new and modified aircraft to evaluate performance and safety features. Job duties include gathering observational data during test flights, documenting whether an aircraft is operating properly, and making recommendations for improvements. You can find test pilot jobs in the commercial transportation industry and with the government, through the military or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You must be a fully qualified pilot with some additional training for this career.

• Flight Test Engineer

  Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000

  As a flight test engineer, your job is to oversee testing the operations and performance of aircraft in line with FAA regulations and guidelines from the manufacturer. This job frequently involves planning, managing, coordinating, and executing a full spectrum of aircraft testing, including tests on all mechanical and electronic systems. Some details of this job vary based on the kinds of aircraft with which you work. Flight test engineers may work with everything from single-engine civilian aircraft to large, military planes. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a flight test engineer often requires meeting the qualifications for a security clearance, studying guides and technical manuals, contacting part manufacturers, and excellent communication skills.

• Contract Flight Test Engineer

  Salary range: $105,500 - $160,000

  Contract Flight Test Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Contract Flight Test Engineer jobs pay between $105,500 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Contract Flight Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Airship Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  Airship Pilot is a typical job search query Most salaries for Airship Pilot jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $155,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Airship Pilot job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Aerospace Test Engineer

  Salary range: $69,500 - $109,000

  Aerospace Test Engineer is a typical job search query Most salaries for Aerospace Test Engineer jobs pay between $69,500 (25th percentile) and $109,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Aerospace Test Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Aerovironment

  Salary range: $31,500 - $64,000

  Aerovironment is a common job search query. Most salaries for Aerovironment jobs pay between $31,500 (25th percentile) and $64,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Aerovironment job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Flight Test Instrumentation

  Salary range: $100,000 - $130,000

  Flight Test Instrumentation is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Flight Test Instrumentation jobs pay between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $130,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Flight Test Instrumentation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Senior Piping Engineer

  Salary range: $103,000 - $161,000

  Senior Piping Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Piping Engineer jobs pay between $103,000 (25th percentile) and $161,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Piping Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Multi Engine Pilot

  Salary range: $100,000 - $155,000

  A multi-engine pilot is a pilot with credentials that allow them to operate an aircraft with more than one engine. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a recommended syllabus for institutions offering this training. As a pilot with the multi-engine land (MEL) rating, you can fly larger planes, whether as a private or commercial operator. You must perform several duties before and after flights, including inspection of the airplane, flight plan submission, and maintenance of safe operation during flight. Federal regulations dictate the maximum amount of hours you can fly, but you typically work outside of the standard 9-to-5 weekday schedule.