USAF Test Pilot School Chief Test Pilot
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Chief Test Pilot (GS-2181-15) to work at the USAF Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. This is an incredible opportunity to shape the future of test and evaluation through mentoring and guiding a world-class team of instructors whose mission is to educate the next generation of test leaders. You will shape the direction of research and participate in experimental R&D test flights. And there’s an opportunity to be a Safety Pilot on the USAF premier Experimental Aircraft, the X-62 VISTA.
Organization: USAF Test Pilot School (TPS)
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Grade: GS-15
Salary: $197,200 (Special Salary Rate)
Incentives: May be eligible for recruitment/relocation incentives
Timeline: Resumes Submitted NLT 27 April 2026
About the Role:
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the USAF TPS’s nationally/internationally recognized technical expert in airborne flight test and evaluation. The incumbent is the senior instructor test pilot who provides technical expertise, corporate knowledge, and long term continuity for all flight test techniques and in-flight instructional methods taught by the USAF TPS.
This position has primary technical and safety review responsibility for all TPS curriculum flight test training and in-flight instruction. The incumbent provides ground, simulator, and in-flight instruction in advanced flight test instructional techniques and training responsibilities to new TPS IPs and IFTEs. They will also impart advanced flight test knowledge, skills, and abilities to TPS students who are operationally experienced pilots, navigators and engineers who have no previous experimental flight test experience.
The Chief Test Pilot plays a critical advisory role in all TPS research initiatives and has the opportunity to be closely involved in specific student Test Management Projects and/or Staff Research Projects.
As the Chief Test Pilot for TPS and the Air Force Test Center, this individual has test enterprise-wide consulting, briefing, and technical & safety advising responsibilities and is expected to be actively involved in test professional organizations.
Qualifications:
Required –
- U.S. Citizenship
- Obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance
- Military Test Pilot School graduate
- At least 5 years of experience as a test pilot conducting military developmental or experimental flight testing of manned aerospace vehicles.
- Must meet USAF Class II flying requirements to include physical requirements to fly ejection seat aircraft, at the time of appointment.
- Must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating. The FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating is also required.
- Must meet the specialized OPM experience requirements for a GS-2181 Test Pilot Flight Instructor (1750 hrs total flight time, 1300 hrs PIC, 300 hrs IP time, 75 hr Instrument time, 100 hrs flight time in the last 12 months).
Desired –
- Masters Degree in Engineering
- 10+ years of experience in military flight test
- Prior teaching experience
- Involved in flight test professional organizations such as SETP, SFTE, AIAA, or ITEA.
For additional information: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/Article/4446271/chief-test-pilot-gs-2181-15/ or
click HERE.
TO APPLY:
POC: Mr. David Vanhoy (661) 277-3000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please send resumes to: Heather Ash, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
***Resumes limited to two pages.***
Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.
posted 8 April