Flight Test Pilot

Summary This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA AcqDemo Business & Technical Management Professional Career Path (NH) to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: This position is located at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC), with a duty location of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Duties Conduct flight test evaluations for aircraft and aviation system acquisition programs. | Create test plans and or formal reports, rendering judgments regarding the value of the tested aircraft or system. | Research, development, test, and evaluation duties for a multitude of aircraft and aviation systems acquisition programs. | Determine maximum limits for safe operation and aerodynamic stability. | Make influential recommendations relative to the intended military mission. | Responsible for all project planning, execution, and reporting functions.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03 or GS 13 grade level in the Federal service that includes: 1) Conduct aircraft systems tests that include factors such as; sophisticated weapons systems, electro-optical sensors, and/or threat countermeasure suites; and/or; 2) Gather information during flight tests such as; quantitative and qualitative data from which the performance and stability characteristics of the aircraft may be defined; and/or 3) Serve as a Rotary or Fixed Wing Flight Test Pilot for aviation system acquisition programs.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (NH-03 or GS-13).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

In addition to meeting the qualification requirement (above), to qualify for this position you must also meet the individual occupational requirements listed below:

Flight Certificate: Candidates must possess the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate with commercial or higher privileges in the appropriate aircraft category (e.g., Airplane Multi Engine Land, Rotorcraft Helicopter, Instrument Ratings) and/or an equivalent U.S. military pilot rating. 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. *You must submit supporting documentation for this requirement.

Medical Certificate: Candidates must possess a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Certificate, Second Class or higher, or an equivalent active military flight physical (e.g., U.S. Army Class 2 / USAF Class II) without restrictive waivers that would preclude the performance of the duties.Note: A copy of the certificate or appropriate military medical clearance document must be provided at the time of application.

Military Experimental Test Pilot School Graduate: Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited military experimental test pilot school. Acceptable test pilot schools include U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAFTPS), Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS), and Ecole du Personnel Navigant d' Essais et de Reception (EPNER). Attendance to one or more "short courses" at these schools and/or on the job training does not meet this eligibility requirement.Note: A copy of the graduation certificate must be provided at the time of application.

Flight Experience: Candidates must meet certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recent flight experience due to the hazardous nature of our operations. Minimum (IOR) individual occupational requirements are: 1) Total flight time 1750 hours; and 2) Pilot in command time 1150 hours; and 3) Night flying time 75 hours; and 4) Heavy multi-engine airplane/heavy helicopter time 500 hours (heavy is defined as gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds); and 5) 100 hours of flying time in the last 12 months (Can be achieved in either fixed wing or rotary wing).Note: Documentation of all claimed flight hours, such as official military or civilian flight logs, must be provided at the time of application.

OPM qualification standard: Aircraft Operation Series 2181 (opm.gov).How you will be evaluated Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

How to apply To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/01/2026 to receive consideration

• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. As a reminder, your resume must be two pages or less and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. For additional information, refer to the 'Required Documents' section.
• You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Your resume selected in USAJOBS will be included, but you must re-select other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application may be incomplete.
• It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
• Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/applicant/profile/dashboard/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Other information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• The use of illegal drugs by Federal employees, whether on duty or off duty, is contrary to the efficiency of the service. The legalization and/or decriminalization of marijuana by some states has no impact on Federal law. The use and/or possession of marijuana remains illegal for Federal employees.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is an Aviation Career Program position aligned under the Installation Career Management Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• The NH-04 band is equal to the GS-14 step 01 through GS-15 step 10. This position is subject to the NH-04 Flight Test Pilot equivalent control point of the ATEC Control Point Policy at $191,366 per year (Includes locality pay).
• U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) provides direct support to Transformation and Training Command and relevant, timely information to senior Army leaders to make future force decisions enabling Multi-Domain Operations through rigorous developmental testing and independent operational tests and evaluations.
• Redstone Test Center's mission is to provide Superior Technical Expertise and State-of-the-Art Facilities and Capabilities to Plan, Conduct, Analyze, and Report the Results of Tests on Aviation, Missile, and Sensors Systems, Subsystems and Components.
• Telework Situational as determined by the agency policy.
• Recruitment or Relocation incentive maybe authorized.