D

Flight Test Pilot

Department of the Army

Posted today

Job Requirements

Redstone Arsenal, AL
Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
$130,987 - $197,200

Job Description

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.

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open 11/09/2026 to 12/01/2026

Location

5 vacancies in the following location:

Redstone Arsenal, AL

No matching locations found.


Work site options

Telework eligible
Yes—Situational as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$130,987 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade

NH 4

Promotion potential
None





Learn more about pay scale and grade





Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.




Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
75% or less - You may be expected to travel 30-70% for this position.



Appointment type
Permanent




Occupations and job series




Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No



Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk




Jobs require a
background check and some require a
security clearance. The type depends on the job.


Background check type




Financial disclosure required
No


Some jobs require
financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.


Announcement number
SDSE-27-13104651-DHA
Control number
891719200


This job is open to


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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.




Duties


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  • 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.




Requirements


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Conditions of employment


  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

  • This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position.

  • This is an Army Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Workforce position. Selectee must meet position requirements for Test and Evaluation certification Level II within 60 months as of entrance on duty.

  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.

  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.

  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 30-70% of the time.

  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.



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).


Education



This job does not have an education qualification requirement.


Additional 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.



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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.

Benefits


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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.


Review our benefits


Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated


You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



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.

Benefits


Help


A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.


Review our benefits


Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required documents

Required Documents


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The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.



As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.



1. Your resume:



  • 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 each relevant work experience, make sure you include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (include month and year), for qualifications purposes, the number of hours worked per week, and a brief description that show you can perform the tasks at the required level listed in the job announcement. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you may not receive consideration for this position.

  • Use plain language. Avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. The hiring agency will not make assumptions about what's in your resume.

  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered for this vacancy.

  • For additional information, to include formatting tips, see: What to include in your resume.


2. Other supporting documents:

  • Cover Letter, optional

  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable

  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses




NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.


How to Apply


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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.

Agency contact information



Army Applicant Help Desk




Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
SE-W1HTAA US ARMY TEST EVALUATION CMD-REDSTONE

DO NOT MAIL

Restone Arsenal, AL 35898

US


Next steps


If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application w
group id: DOA