Senior Pilot - ISR (Deployed Only)

Sierra Nevada Corp; Shalimar (FL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

3 weeks paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sierra Nevada Corporation in Florida is seeking a Senior Pilot to lead complex aviation missions, supervise pilots, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The role emphasizes ISR mission execution, advanced aviation systems, and strategic planning across high-stakes environments.

Ideal candidates have CPL/ATP with instrument and multi-engine ratings, substantial PIC hours, and eligibility for US government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years of current pilot experience.
• Total flight time 2,500–3,000 hours with 1,500–2,000 multi-engine turbine hours.
• PIC time: 1,500–2,000 hours including 1,000–1,500 hours as PIC in multi-engine aircraft.
• CPL with instrument and multi-engine ratings and/or ATP with instrument and multi-engine rating.
• FAA Security clearance eligibility and willingness to deploy OCONUS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex flight missions across diverse operational environments.
• Supervise and mentor junior pilots and ensure professional development.
• Review flight data and mission outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to address technical issues.

Skills

Piloting experience

Leadership

Mission planning

Regulatory compliance

Operational excellence

Education

Commercial Pilot License with instrument and multi-engine ratings

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification

FAA Class II Medical Certificate

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 Senior Pilot brings extensive ISR mission experience, leveraging advanced aviation, surveillance, and mission execution capabilities to support operational objectives.

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.
• Use ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) flight experience, including planning and executing missions that support intelligence gathering, target identification, surveillance operations, and real-time mission coordination.
• Demonstrates experience supporting intelligence and surveillance objectives.
• Shows ability to operate in high-pressure and time-sensitive environments.
• Enhances situational awareness and threat assessment capabilities.
• 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

• Please list hours per airframe on submitted resume. Candidates with only rotary wing or single engine hours will not be considered for this role.
• Minimum of 6+ years of current pilot experience
• Minimum of 2,500 / 3,000 hours of total flight time **(with/without IP qualifications below)
• Includes 1,500 / 2000 multi-engine turbine hours for such aircraft
• At least 1,500 / 2,000 hours as PIC including 1,000 / 1,500 hours as PIC in type or similar aircraft
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and/or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification 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.
• Ability to obtain a current/ valid passport and be able to obtain a visa to travel internationally.
• 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: Please list hours per airframe on submitted resume. Candidates with only rotary wing or single engine hours will not be considered for this role.

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.

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.

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.