Become a Test Pilot Flight Instructor: A Career at the Forefront of Aviation

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) is currently seeking an experienced Test Pilot Flight Instructor to join its elite team at the Redstone Test Center. If you are an experimental test pilot graduate with a passion for instruction and systems evaluation, this position offers the unique opportunity to influence the future of military aviation. Based at the prestigious U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) in Patuxent River, Maryland, you will serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to the next generation of pilots and engineers.

Job Responsibilities

As a Test Pilot Flight Instructor, your day-to-day work will be multifaceted:

Instruction: You will train operationally experienced pilots, flight officers, and engineers in the art of flight testing, focusing on airborne systems and aircraft performance.
Technical Expertise: You will advise leadership on complex aviation issues and lead special studies to improve current testing methodologies.
Program Management: You will handle project requirements, manage resource allocation, and resolve scheduling conflicts to keep critical testing timelines on track.
Systems Evaluation: Your focus will cover sophisticated weapons systems, advanced electro-optical sensors, and threat countermeasure suites.

Requirements

This role is highly specialized. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Graduation from an accredited test pilot school (e.g., USNTPS, USAFTPS).
Valid FAA commercial or higher pilot certificate and Flight Instructor credentials.
Minimum 1,750 total flight hours, including 1,150 hours as Pilot in Command.
Demonstrated currency with 100 flight hours within the last 12 months.

Salary Overview

This position is classified under the AcqDemo Business & Technical Management Professional career path. The salary range is competitive, reflecting the high level of expertise required.

Position Level	Salary Range
Test Pilot Flight Instructor	$143,913 - $197,200

Benefits

Federal employees enjoy a robust benefits package, including:

Comprehensive health insurance with government-contributed premiums.
Access to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for long-term retirement savings.
Generous annual and sick leave accrual.
Potential for relocation assistance and incentives for highly qualified candidates.

Application Tips

Respect the Constraints: The two-page resume limit is strictly enforced. Focus on high-impact achievements that mirror the specialized experience listed in the job post.
Documentation is Key: Have your flight logs, medical physicals, and graduation certificates ready. Incomplete documentation will lead to automatic disqualification.
Use Plain Language: Avoid heavy military jargon or proprietary acronyms. Your recruiters need to clearly understand your technical capabilities at a glance.

Serving as a Test Pilot Flight Instructor with the U.S. Army is a mission-critical role that demands the highest standards of professional excellence. If you meet the criteria and are ready to advance the state-of-the-art in aviation technology, we encourage you to submit your application package before the closing date.

Why This Test Pilot Flight Instructor Job Matters

Take your aviation expertise to the next level: Become a Test Pilot Flight Instructor at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center and shape the future of military flight technology.

Test Pilot Flight Instructor Job Overview

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) is seeking a highly skilled Test Pilot Flight Instructor to join the team at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. In this pivotal role, you will apply your extensive aviation background to evaluate cutting-edge aircraft and instruct the next generation of military pilots and engineers. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of aerospace innovation, ensuring that the technology protecting our nation is rigorously tested and proven.

Requirements for Test Pilot Flight Instructor

U.S. Citizenship
Graduation from an accredited military experimental test pilot school (e.g., USNTPS, USAFTPS, ETPS, EPNER)
Possession of appropriate FAA commercial or higher pilot certificates and a valid Flight Instructor Certificate (or equivalent military rating)
Current FAA Medical Certificate (Class 2 or higher) or equivalent military flight physical
Minimum of 1,750 hours of total flight time
Minimum of 1,150 hours of Pilot in Command time
Minimum of 75 hours of night flight time
Minimum of 500 hours in heavy multi-engine aircraft/heavy helicopters
Minimum of 100 hours of flight time within the last 12 months

Preferred Qualifications for Test Pilot Flight Instructor

Extensive experience conducting flight tests on modified aircraft
Proven track record in designing and delivering complex aviation test curricula
Experience managing aviation programs, including resource allocation and scheduling
Expertise in sophisticated weapons systems, sensors, and threat countermeasure suites

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay
✓Comprehensive health and life insurance options
✓Retirement savings plans (TSP)
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
✓Potential for relocation incentives and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances
✓Telework eligibility

💡 How to Apply Test Pilot Flight Instructor Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Test Pilot Flight Instructor Job

Create or update your profile on the official federal recruitment portal.
Prepare a resume that is two pages or less, specifically highlighting your flight hours and specialized experience.
Complete the online questionnaire required by the announcement.
Upload all necessary supporting documents, including flight logs, pilot certificates, medical certificates, and military test pilot school graduation credentials.
Submit your complete application package before the closing date.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume strictly adheres to the two-page limit; submissions exceeding this length will not be considered.
Be explicit in your resume regarding your flight hours—document the specific breakdown of total time, pilot-in-command, night time, and recent flight hours.
Do not use acronyms that may be unfamiliar; use clear, descriptive language for all past job responsibilities.
Double-check that all uploaded documents, especially transcripts and certificates, are legible and recent.
Submit early to account for potential technical issues or virus scan wait times during the upload process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is education a substitute for the flight experience requirements?

No. For this position, you must meet all qualification requirements, including flight hours and school graduation, through professional experience alone.

Can I use flight training from a 'short course' to qualify?

No, graduation from a full, accredited experimental test pilot school is required. On-the-job training or short courses do not satisfy this eligibility requirement.

Will my personal data in military documents be exposed?

You are encouraged to sanitize supplemental documents like military orders to remove sensitive personal information of third parties before submission.

Is relocation assistance offered?

Yes, relocation incentives and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized based on agency policy and government interest.

What is the security clearance for this role?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

Job from U.S. Army Test And Evaluation Command

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command is the Army's premier independent organization dedicated to ensuring that soldiers receive the best possible equipment. With a motto of "If a Soldier rides, wears, shoots, or deploys it, we test it," ATEC personnel work across 24 locations worldwide to evaluate everything from hypersonic weapons to autonomous ground vehicles. As a civilian employee here, you are part of a highly skilled workforce of over 8,500 personnel who ensure our military stays ahead of global threats.