Senior Pilot (Deployed Only)

Sierra Nevada Corporation; Town of Florida, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive pay

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation in the United States is seeking a Sr Pilot to lead complex missions, provide strategic direction in planning and execution, and oversee junior pilots. The role includes casualty evacuation, maritime patrol, and experimental test flights with DoD and security clearances.

Expect deployment to various locations and strict safety adherence. Competitive compensation and benefits accompany leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3,000 hours total flight time and CPL with instrument and multi-engine rating.
• Current FAA Class II Medical Certificate is required.
• Active Secret security clearance on day 1 of employment.
• PIC time in multi-engine turbo props or jets, GTOW 12,500+ lbs.
• Willingness to deploy OCONUS for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex flight missions across diverse environments.
• Supervise and mentor junior pilots and oversee professional development.
• Perform casualty evacuation, maritime patrol, and experimental test flights.
• Ensure mission readiness through planning, risk assessment, and coordination.
• Monitor safety protocols and aviation regulations compliance.
• Serve as primary point of contact for mission-critical communications.
• Review flight data and outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
• Facilitate training programs and drills for high preparedness.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
• Participate in strategic planning and decision-making processes.

Skills

Total flight time 3000 hours

CPL with instrument & multi-engine

FAA Class II Medical

Active Secret clearance

PIC multi-engine turboprop/jet

OCONUS deployment willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Are you looking to use your pilot experience to support and protect heroes? Join us! As a Sr Pilot, you will lead complex missions and provide strategic direction in operational planning and execution. You will oversee junior pilots, ensure adherence to safety and regulatory standards, and perform advanced piloting duties in various scenarios including experimental test flights and special mission training. Your role involves significant leadership responsibilities and direct contribution to the success of high-stakes missions.

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex flight missions across diverse operational environments.
• Supervise and mentor junior pilots, ensuring their continuous professional development.
• Perform missions including, but not limited to, casualty evacuation, maritime patrol, and experimental test flights.
• Ensure mission readiness through detailed planning, risk assessment, and coordination.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with safety protocols and aviation regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for mission‑critical communication and coordination.
• Review and analyze flight data and mission outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate training programs and drills to maintain a high state of preparedness.
• Liaise with engineering teams to address and resolve technical issues.
• Participate in strategic planning and operational decision‑making processes.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Minimum of 3,000 hours of total flight time.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument and multi‑engine rating without limitations.
• FAA issued Class II Medical Certificate.
• Able to pass a FAA/Military Pilot Background Check and mandatory drug and alcohol screen.
• A minimum of 1500 hours total fixed‑wing as pilot‑in‑command (PIC) time in a multi‑engine turbo prop aircraft, jet aircraft or combination thereof in aircraft with GTOW 12,500 or greater.
• Able to meet current DoD and Combatant Command requirements for deployed locations.
• Willing to deploy OCONUS on an approximate 60/30 rotation.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Extensive knowledge of advanced aviation systems and regulations.
• A Current/Valid US Passport with the ability to obtain a visa for international travel.
• Ability to successfully pass pre‑deployment medical assessment.
• Be willing and able to work extended hours, holidays, and shift schedules as required.
• Ability to deploy for an extended amount of time to various OCONUS operating locations.
• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required day 1 of employment.

NOTE: A United States Government Security Clearance is required for employment. Applicants who do not currently have a USG security clearance are welcome to apply and, if selected, will be processed for a USG security clearance by SNC prior to employment. Employment will begin once the USG security clearance is granted. If applicant is unable to obtain USG security clearance, the offer of employment will be withdrawn.

NOTE: PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. SNC considers only pilot time in fixed wing aircraft toward minimum qualifications. This does not include simulator, helicopter, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, RIO, EWO, WSO, NFO, or Special Crew.

NOTE: Please list hours per airframe on submitted resume. Candidates with only rotary wing or single engine hours will not be considered for this role.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Military flight training background.
• Previous ISR experience
• Previous Dash 8 experience
• Previous OCONUS experience
• Experience in leadership roles within combat or operational missions.
• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification.
• Advanced degrees in aviation or aerospace disciplines.
• Experience with experimental and advanced aircraft systems.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.
• Recent mission completion and/or prior service.
• US Military survival and/or physiological training.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Compensation and Benefits

• SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
• SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state‑of‑the‑art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non‑traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid‑tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.