Chief Pilot

Company: Lockheed Martin
Location: Fort Rucker
Posted on: April 5, 2026

Job Description:

THE WORK The Pilot Subject Matter Expert (SME) will lead and oversee all flight training and operations for a flight school program and designated support activities. Reporting to the Air Commercial Solution Sr Manager, this senior?level role combines leadership with hands?on flying and academic instruction. The incumbent will be responsible for safety, strategic direction, and instructional flights and training. The Chief Pilot will also act as an active test pilot, instructor, and subject?matter expert (SME) for the fleet of rotary?wing aircraft. Key Responsibilities • Direct all flight training and operations activities conducted in support of the flight school program and contract. • Mentor, coach, and manage a diverse team of test pilots, flight instructors, and operational support staff. This includes personnel selection, hiring, and training/evaluation (both flight and non-flight). • Selection, training and certification of Assistant Chief Pilots and Standardization Instructor Pilots. • Approve cockpit configurations, airfield management plans, ATC communications, maintenance, and aviation life?support procedures. • Oversee and manage the scheduling, coordination, receipt, and reporting for aircraft generation requirements in support of programs of instructions (POI) and contract flight activities. • Serve as a senior liaison with maintenance, sustainment, engineering, certification, customer support, business development, and contracts. • Serve as the senior flight operations representative within Lockheed Martin and with external agencies to include AVCOE, FAA, and other applicable stakeholders. • Oversee, Manage, and execute Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW)/rotor?craft instruction and evaluation in classroom, simulator (ATD/IOS), and aircraft for applicable POI. • Conduct student flight training and evaluation for programs of instruction under day, night, and instrument. • Manage, execute, and evaluate student instruction and performance, maintain electronic grade systems, and the generation and approval of applicable reports and records. • Approve the successful completion of flight school portion of IERW and the endorsement of students to progress to advanced aircraft training. • Lead development and updates of curriculum, courseware, and syllabi for IERW/rotary?wing POIs. • Deliver academic training using electronic mediated lecture, interactive courseware, and flight?training devices. • Approve/recommend approval of additional flight training of students when applicable. • Approve/Endorse recommendations for student elimination and participate in the student elimination process with AVCOE. • Ensure all flight operations adhere to applicable FAA, military, AVCOE and international civil aviation regulations and polices. • Maintain an active Secret security clearance and enforce Lockheed Martin safety policies. • Oversee, manage and execute recurrent safety briefings, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives. • Represent Lockheed Martin in government and industry forums on rotorcraft policy and safety. • Work closely with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to align flight?operations objectives with program schedules. • Proactively manage and coordinate for required resources within Lockheed Martin and external stakeholders to ensure timely, effective and safe flight school and rotorcraft operations. • Define, develop, & maintain the Course Management Plan with Army partners to meet training objectives. • Set up Flight Operations (airfield use, ATC, safety) and act as the primary Army liaison. • Design grading, electronic scorecards, and tracking tools compliant with Army/FAA regulations. • Create version?controlled SOPs, work instructions, and job aids for all pilot?office tasks. • Establish pilot?office governance (steering committee, review boards, escalation paths) for curriculum, instructor, and student oversight. • Travel 10-15% of the time Basic Qualifications Flight Experience - • Total Flight Hours: 2,500 (Minimum) • Helicopter/Rotary Wing: 1,000 hrs (Minimum) • Helicopter/Rotary Wing Pilot in Command (PIC): 500 Hours • Instructor Hours (Count toward PIC Total): 250 Hours • Instrument Hours: 100 Hours • Instrument Instructor Hours: 50 Hours • Night Hours: 75 Hours (Minimum 25 Hours non-NVG) • Flying Time in the last 12 Months: 100 Hours (may be waived) • Actual Weather Hours: 10 Hours • At least 2 years as a qualified rotary wing aircraft instructor; experience with flight?training devices (ATD, IOS). Flight Hours must be documented on the resume in the above format. Must be able to submit a copy of official flight records such as DA-759, DA-759-1, DA Form 2408-12 or equivalent. Pilot Certifications - • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with ATP (Rotary Wing) or an equivalent military rating • FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument or Military Equivalent (such as Graduate of US Army Instructor Pilot Course and Instrument Flight Examiner Course) • FAA-authorized Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs)(Rotary Wing) or equivalent military rating (such as U.S. Army Standardization Instructor Pilot) • Valid rotorcraft-helicopter rating • Must have a current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate prior to beginning duties. • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aviation, Training Development/Management or a related field (or equivalent combination of education/experience) • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance. • Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication; ability to present to senior leadership, distinguished visitors and guests, organization employees and students. • Strong process discipline with focus on efficiency and optimization. • Demonstrated ability to build, lead and motivate high performance teams. • Demonstrated proactive and successful problem solving (identification, analysis, mitigation/solution planning, implementation, and results). *This position is contingent upon contract award to Lockheed Martin. Estimated award date is June 2026. Any job offers extended to chosen candidates will include a contingency clause stating that the offer is dependent on Lockheed Martin securing the contract. Desired skills • Prior IERW flight instructor experience. • Prior IERW ground/academic instructor experience. • Prior experience delivering military pilot academic and simulator training • Graduate of DoW Senior Service School or Equivalent • Military Rotary Wing Instructor Experience (UH-60, AH-64, TH-1, MH-60, UH-1, etc.) • IERW lead flight instructor and management experience. • FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) qualification. • Graduate of an accredited Engineering Test Pilot School. • Proven track record in flight?test data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics. The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration. * At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility. If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs , and apply for roles that align with your qualifications. Other Important Information By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings. Ability to work remotely Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility. Work Schedule Information Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits. Security Clearance Information This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $131,500 - $231,840. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year. This position is incentive plan eligible. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $151,200 - $262,085. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. This position is incentive plan eligible.

Keywords: Lockheed Martin, Auburn , Chief Pilot, Engineering , Fort Rucker, Alabama