Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Las Vegas, Nevada
Salary Range: $145052 - $188573 Per Year
Job Summary: Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: Serve with the 53rd Test & Evaluation Group (TEG) as the Chief Operational Test Pilot for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and 5th/6th Generation flight integration providing direction and oversight across the operational test mission
Major Duties:
Qualifications: Conditions Of Employment cont. 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 has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Testing Program. Selectee must sign a statement acknowledging that this position is a TDP. Employee must pass initial and periodic short-notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. Employee may be exposed to loud noise, extreme gravity forces (up to 9 Gs'), high speed flight, as well as typical risks and/or discomforts associated with flying aircraft over land and open water, while performing combat tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). 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. Employee may be exposed to loud noise, extreme gravity forces (up to 5 Gs'), high speed flight, as well as typical risks and/or discomforts associated with flying aircraft over land and open water at 50,000 feet and below, while performing combat tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a top secret/SCI security clearance In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, to include the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the GS-2181, Aircraft Operations Series. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/2100/aircraft-operation-series-2181/ In order to qualify, you must meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements and the Minimum Flight Hour Requirements described below: Note: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions. AND Certification and Ratings: For all grade levels and specializations, candidates must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. If an agency decides, for example, not to accept the military rating, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the position and should be thoroughly described in agency operating material. For flight instructor positions, the FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required. The pilot certificate must include the rating(s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings. Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required. Flight Experience: Candidates must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. The categories in which candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to (1) the general knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the particular position being filled. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility. Minimum Flight Hour Requirements: The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants: Total Flight Time -- Flight time as pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For in-service placements actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for candidates who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided They hold the certificates and ratings required. They have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work. They meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and Their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position. Pilot-In-Command -- Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable. Night Flying -- For in service placement actions at the GS-11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the candidate demonstrates the ability to perform the work. Flying Time, Last 12 Months -- Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours specified apply to competitive appointments. For in service placement actions, up to one-half of the flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely. For positions flying both helicopters and airplanes, at least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either category of aircraft. Requirements Category Flight Hours GS-11 and above 1. Total Flight Time 1500 2. Pilot-In-Command 250 3. Night Flying 75 4. Flying Time, Last 12 months 100 The following flight hour requirements apply only when the position requires the particular specialty. Instructor Time -- Must be related to the nature of the instruction work and the category of aircraft operated (i.e., airplane or helicopter) in the position to be filled. If the purpose of the position is to provide instruction in instrument flight techniques, one-half of the flight time must have involved instrument instruction in either airplanes or helicopters. Requirements Category Flight Hours GS-11 and above Instructor Time 500 Instrument time 75 Additional Requirements for Flight Test Pilot For flight test pilots, the minimum flight hour requirements shown for grades GS-11 and above are increased as follows: Requirements Category Flight Hours GS-11 and above Total Flight Time1750 Pilot-In-Command1150 The notes above on Total Flight Time and Pilot-in-Command also apply to flight test pilot positions. Flight test positions also require completion of a flight test course such as a military flight test school or the FAA flight test pilot course, or at least 1 year of experience either flight testing aircraft for engineering approval (civilian or military) or analyzing aircraft performance data. Continued...
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/19/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903817 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-19