Flight Test Pilot (GS-2181-14) 96OG

Air Force Test Center; Eglin Air Force Base (FL); On-site; USD 126,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment/relocation incentive maybe

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center seeks a Full-Time Flight Test Pilot (GS-2181-14) at Eglin Air Force Base to lead fighter flight test operations within the 96th Operations Group, 40th Flight Test Squadron. You will direct activities, manage resources, and ensure safe, high‑fidelity flight testing across advanced aircraft systems.

Required qualifications include TPS or WIC graduation, ability to pass a physical, and security clearances.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC).
• Able to pass a physical and obtain required security clearances.
• Travel up to 25% may be required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and report on high-risk fighter test flights.
• Manage pre-flight planning including weather and airspace coordination; brief aircrew.
• Oversee contracts, budgets, and milestones for DoD projects.
• Update and maintain flight publications and training materials.

Skills

TPS/WIC graduate

Fighter flight test

Test pilot experience

Education

Test Pilot School (TPS) graduate

USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) graduate

Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at [e-mail] .

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Flight Test Pilot (GS-2181-14) to work at the 96th Test Wing, 96th Operations Group, 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base.

Serves as a fighter flight test pilot within the 96th Operations Group. The incumbent directs activities and manages resources and processes responsible for the effective employment and utilization of squadron aerospace vehicles and implements policy and procedures of aircrew personnel performing flight operations test and test support activities.

Announcement Closes: 10/29/2026

Typical 2026 salary range: $125,776 – 163,514 per year (includes locality)
“If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.”

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Incentives:

This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Must have requirements or may not be considered:

Must be a graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC).

Must be able to pass a physical.

Employee required to obtain and maintain proper security clearance.

This position has been identified as a designated position under the Air Force Drug Testing Plan.

This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position.

Desired Skills:

Elite Test & Weapons Pedigree (Priority 1): Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC), bringing at least 3 years of hands‑on experience in fighter flight test management, envelope evaluation, and advanced aircraft systems integration.

Full‑Envelope Tactical Flight Mastery (Priority 2): Proven command of high‑performance fighter aircraft across demanding operational profiles—including close formation, high‑speed low‑level flight, air‑to‑air combat, aerial refueling, ordnance delivery, and flight simulator fidelity validation.

Instructional Design & Aircrew Standardization (Priority 3): Demonstrated expertise applying the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process and Air Force principles to architect, modernize, and standardize fighter pilot training syllabi, curriculum, and Stan/Eval programs.

Major Duties:

Plans, conducts, and reports on high‑risk test flights in modified single/multi‑engine jets. Evaluates weapons, lasers, and new technologies; expands flight envelopes.

Command, instruct, and evaluate test and training sorties. Manage pre‑flight planning (weather, NOTAMs, fuel, FAA/military airspace coordination) and make go/no‑go decisions. Brief aircrew/passengers and enforce regulatory compliance. Apply CRM/ORM to mitigate risk. Maintain logs, report aircraft status, and deliver mission briefs.

Direct complex, high‑risk DoD projects and oversee contractor performance, budgets, and negotiations. Integrate funding requirements, establish milestones, and coordinate engineering changes. Conduct site visits to ensure contract compliance. Advise leadership on policy, resolve critical issues, and deliver program briefs. Maintain technical currency on aircraft systems, safety reports, and Air Force publications.

Execute complex special projects, managing contractor deliverables, budgets, and milestones. Analyze training quality, materials, and student performance to recommend improvements. Serve as SME at Flight Manual Review conferences to update official aircraft publications. Monitor syllabus and simulator updates; develop training timelines and input data into the AETC Program Flying Training (PFT) model.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1‑year probationary period OR 2‑year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This position requires Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearances as well as possible clearances with special access programs.

This is a designated Drug Testing Position.

The incumbent is required to meet and maintain AF requirements to pilot training aircraft on a recurring and regular basis in support of the mission. Must be a graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) with at least 3 years of experience in developmental/Operational fighter flight testing.

This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position. Category: T – Test & Evaluation, Level: 2- Intermediate Level II This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification requirements applicable to the career category designated on the position description within 24 months of assignment. This position also requires the employee to engage in acquisition continuous learning activities achieving 80 Continuous Learning points every 24 months.

Must be able to maintain USAF Flying Class II physical standard qualifications IAW AFI 48-123 administered by a properly credentialed DoD flight surgeon (as defined by AFI 48-123); and must maintain pilot evaluations IAW AFI 11-202 Vol II/AFMC Sup 1.

Mastery of USAF aircraft operations, aircrew training, aircrew standardization and evaluation, aerospace resource management, aircrew life support, aircraft and aircrew safety, and aircraft flight test management; systems and operating procedures, advanced instrument techniques, aerobatic maneuvers, close formation flying, high‑speed low‑level flight, aerial refueling, aggressor and defensive combat, and range missions with ordnance, as well as knowledge of high‑performance fighter aircraft, and of the operation, characteristics, and limitations of the corresponding aircraft simulator.

Knowledge of the methods, AF principles, practices, and programs related to curriculum development, instructional techniques, and training resources. Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) with at least 3 years experience in fighter flight testing.

Knowledge of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process, requirements of fighter pilot training, and the pilot training syllabus.

Skill in the use of a variety of computer applications and software, to include simulator systems sufficient to meet desired learning objectives and to demonstrate flying procedures and maneuvers.

Skill in review and analysis techniques and methods to appraise assigned programs or projects; identify needs and solutions; develop goals, policies, and procedures; monitor progress; and evaluate success.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.

Learn more about the new resume requirements at:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED