Lead Training Captain

Metrea; Temecula (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

HSA/FSA

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Parental leave

PTO

Life & disability insurance

AD&D Coverage

Pet Insurance

EAP

Gym membership

Job summary

Metrea seeks a Pilot Training Lead for KC-135 operations to develop and deliver comprehensive pilot training, oversee simulators and flight training, and serve as PIC for the KC-135 tanker fleet. You will ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and high training standards across missions.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Aviation Management and extensive KC-135 flight and instructor experience, with strong leadership, communication, and LMS familiarity. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field.
• Extensive KC-135 flight experience and instructor/evaluator background.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Familiarity with LMS and training software.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement initial, recurrent, and specialized pilot training programs.
• Conduct instruction in the aircraft.
• Conduct evaluations and audits to maintain training effectiveness.
• Mentor and supervise instructor pilots.
• Manage simulator and flight training resources.
• Integrate SMS and risk management practices into training.
• Stay current with advancements in aviation training and technology.
• Provide ground, simulator, and inflight instruction aboard a KC-135R/RG and C-135FR aircraft as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate flight currencies in the KC-135R/RG and C-135FR as appropriate.

Skills

KC-135 flight experience

Instructor / Evaluator

Leadership

Communication skills

LMS familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field

Tools

LMS software

Job description

Company Overview

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats. Our operating model is built around three interlocking pillars. The Support Groups provide a global shared-service - spanning people, finance, platform, operations, legal, and engagement. This frees up our Core Groups, who develop and own mission capabilities end-to-end, to focus entirely on delivery. The Market Groups apply a regional lens, ensuring that our agile and adaptable capabilities remain aligned to the wicked problems that matter most to our partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. At the heart of our model is a simple but powerful idea: be a true partner with skin in the game. Our partners need effects, not just equipment. By owning the full stack - from the lab to the field - we are able to drive a continuous cycle of innovation that keeps our partners ahead. It's a fast-moving, intellectually demanding environment where talented people are given real responsibility, work on problems that matter, and contribute to an enterprise that is growing quickly and deliberately. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, as well as Continental Europe and Asia-Pacific.

AIR MOBILITY GROUP (AIRMOB)

Air Mobility Group (AIRMOB) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea's aerial refueling (AAR) capabilities, ensuring the readiness and operational effectiveness of the tanker fleet. AIRMOB oversees fleet management, maintenance, and airworthiness, working to sustain and enhance refueling operations. It manages the integration of new processes and technologies, ensuring that tanker aircraft remain mission-ready through effective logistics, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance. By coordinating across various teams, AIRMOB ensures the fleet meets both current and future operational needs, supporting a range of specialized air mobility missions.

Position Summary

In this role you will be responsible for developing and delivering comprehensive pilot training programs for KC-135 operations. This role ensures compliance with aviation regulations, oversees simulator and flight training, and mentors instructor pilots to maintain the highest standards of safety and proficiency. In addition to these responsibilities, the position also serves as a Pilot-in-Command (PIC) of Metrea Strategic Mobility's KC-135 tanker aircraft. In this capacity, the individual exercises final authority for the safe and compliant operation of assigned missions, leads flight crews through all phases of flight, and ensures strict adherence to FAA regulations, company policies, operational specifications, and contractual requirements. PIC responsibilities include mission planning and execution, sound aeronautical decision-making consistent with the SMS, and the completion of post-flight duties. The role requires maintaining all required qualifications, training, certifications, and currency, and performing additional flight-related duties as assigned.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement initial, recurrent, and specialized pilot training programs. Ensure compliance with FAA, ICAO, and company standards
• Conduct instruction in the aircraft
• Conduct evaluations and audits to maintain training effectiveness
• Mentor and supervise instructor pilots
• Manage simulator and flight training resources
• Integrate SMS and risk management practices into training
• Stay current with advancements in aviation training and technology
• Provide ground, simulator, and inflight instruction aboard a KC-135R/RG and C-135FR aircraft as appropriate
• Maintain appropriate flight currencies in the KC-135R/RG and C-135FR as appropriate

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field or equivalent experience
• Extensive KC-135 flight experience and instructor/evaluator background
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Familiarity with LMS and training software

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• ATP Multi-Engine Land with B-707/B-720 Type Ratings
• Previous USAF Instructor certification for KC-135
• Current Certified Flight Instructor Instrument and AMEL Instructor
• Valid Driver's License and US Passport
• Ability to maintain a Secret clearance

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan options
• HSA/FSA accounts
• Dental and vision coverage
• 6% employer 401(k) match
• Fully paid parental leave for all new parents
• Generous PTO
• Life and disability insurance
• Long-term and Short-term disability coverage
• AD&D Coverage
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidized gym membership / plans through Wellhub

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen
• Ability to maintain Secret clearance throughout employment
• Role requires adherence to export control regulations (ITAR/EAR)
• Employment is contingent on meeting all clearance and adjudication requirements

AAP/EEO Statement

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt Employees must have the ability to be on-call and available, as business needs require.

Work Environment

This job operates in an office setting and aboard an inflight KC-135R/RG and C-135FR aircraft.

Travel

30%

Base Pay Range

The compensation range shown below is a good faith estimate and reflects the expected base pay for this position upon hire. This is just one component of Metrea's overall approach to total rewards and final compensation decisions, including the ultimate salary or hourly rate agreed upon, may vary depending on factors such as job location, job-specific knowledge, skills, experience, and the overall negotiated compensation package. Eligible full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success.

Pay Range: $195,000 USD - $215,000 USD

Our Firmware

At Metrea, our single core value is Rooted in Humility, and our four cornerstone attributes are Entrepreneurial, Systematic, Discerning, and Over-Deliver. These form what we call our Teammate Firmware. Just like technical firmware connects software and hardware, our Firmware is the constant interface between our mission and our people. It defines how we show up, how we work together, and how we solve complex problems. Our team Firmware creates a web-like, hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical way of working that helps us adapt quickly, communicate openly, and distribute decision-making to where expertise actually lives. It enables groups to self-organize around hard problems, shift fluidly as priorities evolve, and operate with the trust, curiosity, and discipline required in a complex mission space. This foundation allows us to deliver elegant, effective solutions and uphold our purpose: protecting our precious inheritance.