Flight Test Pilot

About the Air Force Test Center: The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow’s Air Force is tested! Long considered the “Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe”, AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history! Pilots: Turn Your Operational Experience into Mission-Shaping Impact—Guide the Next Wave of Combat Pilots to Strengthen America’s Air Dominance About the Role: The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Flight Test Pilot (GS-2181-14) to work at the 96th Test Wing, 96th Operations Group, 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base. Serves as a fighter flight test pilot within the 96th Operations Group. The incumbent directs activities and manages resources and processes responsible for the effective employment and utilization of squadron aerospace vehicles and implements policy and procedures of aircrew personnel performing flight operations test and test support activities. APPLY NOW! THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME! Location: Eglin Air Force Base, FL Typical 2026 salary range: $125,776 – 163,514 (includes locality) Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework" Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible Incentives: This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official. Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members. Must have requirements or may not be considered: 1. Must be a graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC). 2. Must be able to pass a physical. 3. Employee required to obtain and maintain proper security clearance. 5. This position has been identified as a designated position under the Air Force Drug Testing Plan. 6. This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position. Desired Skills: 1. Elite Test & Weapons Pedigree (Priority 1): Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC), bringing at least 3 years of hands-on experience in fighter flight test management, envelope evaluation, and advanced aircraft systems integration. 2. Full-Envelope Tactical Flight Mastery (Priority 2): Proven command of high-performance fighter aircraft across demanding operational profiles—including close formation, high-speed low-level flight, air-to-air combat, aerial refueling, ordnance delivery, and flight simulator fidelity validation. 3. Instructional Design & Aircrew Standardization (Priority 3): Demonstrated expertise applying the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process and Air Force principles to architect, modernize, and standardize fighter pilot training syllabi, curriculum, and Stan/Eval programs. Major Duties: 1. Plans, conducts, and reports on high-risk test flights in modified single/multi-engine jets. Evaluates weapons, lasers, and new technologies; expands flight envelopes. 2. Command, instruct, and evaluate test and training sorties. Manage pre-flight planning (weather, NOTAMs, fuel, FAA/military airspace coordination) and make go/no-go decisions. Brief aircrew/passengers and enforce regulatory compliance. Apply CRM/ORM to mitigate risk. Maintain logs, report aircraft status, and deliver mission briefs. 3. Direct complex, high-risk DoD projects and oversee contractor performance, budgets, and negotiations. Integrate funding requirements, establish milestones, and coordinate engineering changes. Conduct site visits to ensure contract compliance. Advise leadership on policy, resolve critical issues, and deliver program briefs. Maintain technical currency on aircraft systems, safety reports, and Air Force publications. 4. Execute complex special projects, managing contractor deliverables, budgets, and milestones. Analyze training quality, materials, and student performance to recommend improvements. Serve as SME at Flight Manual Review conferences to update official aircraft publications. Monitor syllabus and simulator updates; develop training timelines and input data into the AETC Program Flying Training (PFT) model. Qualifications/Requirements: U.S. Citizenship (Required) PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT: (Required) – For All Positions Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. (NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.) Drug Testing: This is a designated Drug Testing Position Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain and “Top Secret” security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)) Education Requirements: 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. DAWIA Certification: This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position. Category: T – Test & Evaluation, Level: 2- Intermediate Level II 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. Physical: Must be able to maintain USAF Flying Class II physical standard qualifications IAW AFI 48-123 administered by a properly credentialed DoD flight surgeon (as defined by AFI 48-123); and must maintain pilot evaluations IAW AFI 11-202 Vol II/AFMC Sup 1. Top 5-6 job related KSAs: 1. Mastery of USAF aircraft operations, aircrew training, aircrew standardization and evaluation, aerospace resource management, aircrew life support, aircraft and aircrew safety, and aircraft flight test management; systems and operating procedures, advanced instrument techniques, aerobatic maneuvers, close formation flying, high-speed low-level flight, aerial refueling, aggressor and defensive combat, and range missions with ordnance, as well as knowledge of high-performance fighter aircraft, and of the operation, characteristics, and limitations of the corresponding aircraft simulator. 2. Knowledge of the methods, AF principles, practices, and programs related to curriculum development, instructional techniques, and training resources. Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) or USAF Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) with at least 3 years experience in fighter flight testing. 3. Knowledge of the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) process, requirements of fighter pilot training, and the pilot training syllabus. 4. Skill in the use of a variety of computer applications and software, to include simulator systems sufficient to meet desired learning objectives and to demonstrate flying procedures and maneuvers. 5. Skill in review and analysis techniques and methods to appraise assigned programs or projects; identify needs and solutions; develop goals, policies, and procedures; monitor progress; and evaluate success. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits: Paid Time Off: 11 Federal Holidays each year 13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative) Paid Vacation Time: 13-26 days per year based on length of employment Health Insurance: No waiting period to qualify for you and your family Retirement: Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefits Plan Social Security: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching) Health & Wellness: Various Medical Flexible Spending Account Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance Work/Life Balance: Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position) Career Development: Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities Career enhancement and promotion opportunities To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/260902aftcbenefitstrifold Federal Resume Tips: Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Learn more about the new resume requirements at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/ Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/ AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.