F-16 Pilot/Test Director

CAE Inc; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

CAE Inc. seeks an experienced Test Director to oversee testing and evaluation of military aircraft simulation training devices, ensuring validated requirements meet customer acceptance.

You will lead integration, test planning, and deployment activities, coordinating with SMEs and customers while managing cost, schedule, and technical risk in a dynamic defense environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience interfacing with customers and end users.
• Ability to explain technical concerns to customer.
• Ability to lead a team of engineers.
• Self-motivated to address, evaluate, and correct testing concerns.
• Knowledge of aircraft systems and the associated environment.
• Organizational skills and integrity to run a rigorous test program.

Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of system design, including requirements definition.
• Subject Matter Experts (SME) for their application.
• Manages Hardware & software system integration.
• Conducts mission environment testing.
• Lead all test effort; system tests, acceptance tests, configuration, scheduling, and customer interface.
• Write test plans, conduct tests, document results, and ensure discrepancy resolution.
• Manages discrepancy review boards.
• Monitor and control testing aspects of the program for cost, schedule and technical issues.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical skills

Customer interfacing

Leadership

Team coordination

Testing expertise

Aircraft systems knowledge

Travel willingness

Experience (6+ years)

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

As an Instructor Pilot at CAE

As an Instructor Pilot at CAE, your role soars beyond training. You build confidence and skill, inspire mastery, and ensure pilots are prepared for the moments that matter. Whether leading simulator sessions or pre‑flight briefings, you’ll contribute to CAE’s legacy of flight training excellence while keeping your own skills sharp. Supported by advanced training and cutting‑edge technology, you’ll grow as an educator and find purpose in helping pilots excel, no matter the challenges they face.

Who We Are

CAE Vision: Our vision is to be the worldwide partner of choice in defense and security, and civil aviation by revolutionizing our customers’ training and critical operations with digitally immersive solutions to elevate safety, efficiency and readiness.

CAE Defense & Security Mission

CAE's Defense and Security business unit focuses on helping prepare military customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness.

CAE Values

Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence, Integrity and OneCAE make us who we are and we strive to make a difference in the world while helping each other succeed.

What We Have to Offer

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package and flexibility that promotes work-life balance

Summary

A Test Director (TD) shall provide the testing and evaluation of Military Single or Multi-Engine Fixed-Wing aircraft for the design, development, production, test, and sell-off of simulation training devices. A Test Director builds, leads, and executes integration, test and deployment activities and plans to evaluate program requirements that have been verified and validated prior to customer acceptance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Participate in all phases of system design, including requirements definition
• Subject Matter Experts (SME) for their application
• Manages Hardware & software system integration
• Conducts mission environment testing
• Lead all test effort; system tests, acceptance tests, configuration, scheduling, and customer interface
• Write test plans, conduct tests, document results, and ensure discrepancy resolution
• Manages discrepancy review boards
• Monitor and control testing aspects of the program for cost, schedule and technical issues

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• SECRET security clearance required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (customer users, USAF, USN SMEs)
• Good analytical skills
• Experience interfacing with customers and end users
• Ability to explain technical concerns to customer
• Ability to lead a team of engineers
• Self-motivated to address, evaluate, and if necessary, correct testing concerns undefined
• Knowledge of aircraft systems and the associated environment
• Organizational skills and integrity to run a rigorous test program while holding to the contractual requirements
• Pilot experience preferably in Block 40,50 F-16 (current Guard or Reserve experience a plus)
• Ability to work weekends and off-shifts as required
• Ability to travel to site for installs and upgrades
• 6+ years of related experience
• Pilot experience preferably in Block 40,50 F-16 (current Guard or Reserve experience a plus)
• Ability to work weekends and off-shifts as required
• Ability to travel to site for installs and upgrades
• 6+ years of related experience

Preferred Skills

• TS/SCI clearance a plus
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, Computer Science, or Engineering degree
• Weapons School or Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor experience a plus
• Prefer 6+ years of aviation industry experience
• Experience in use of simulation training devices and products
• Test experience
• Demonstrated experience developing long-term business relationships with the customer or end user community

Security Responsibilities

Must comply with all company security and data protection / usage policies and procedures. Personally responsible for proper marking and handling of all information and materials, in any form. Shall not divulge any information, or afford access, to other employees not having a need-to-know. Shall not divulge information outside company without management approval. All government and proprietary information will be accessed and stored electronically on company provided resources. Incumbent must be eligible for DoD Personal Security Clearance. Due to U.S. Government contract requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this role.

Work Environment

This is not a remote position. The primary work location is in Arlington, Texas. This is required to be a full-time position and is not available to be or become part-time. Will be required to sit down for long periods of time.

Must be able to climb stairs to enter and exit a simulator, and enter simulator cockpit which can include restrictive spaces.

Must be able to travel extensively to CONUS and to OCONUS sites for extended periods to support program work. Routine travel required supporting site modifications and installs (up to 50%).

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Moderate levels of work stress associated with technical, schedule, and customer issues are to be expected with this position. Extended work hours and occasional 2nd or 3rd shift assignments can be encountered.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Must be able to work for long periods of time standing, stooping and bending, and also lifting up to forty (40) to fifty (50) pounds, with no limitations/restrictions. Must be able to climb and work from ladders.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

CAE USA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including disability and protected veteran status, as defined under federal, state, or local laws.

Position Type Regular Equal Opportunity Employer CAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local laws. At CAE, everyone is welcome to contribute to our success.

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we’ve driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success. At CAE, everyone is welcome to contribute to our success.

Welcome to CAE! As a global leader in Civil Aviation and Defense & Security across 40 countries, we advance together as One CAE, fueled by thousands of passionate individuals operating in a culture where everyone can thrive. We hold ourselves accountable for building an inclusive community at every level, and our comprehensive benefits support you professionally and personally. Together, we are All For shaping a future where safety, sustainability, and inclusivity lead the way. Join us and be part of something bigger—where your impact reaches beyond CAE and helps shape the world of tomorrow.