Aircraft Pilot (Helicopter) (Direct Hire)

NASA•Houston, TX 77084, US• Full Time

Posted 4 days ago• Business & Finance• Mechanical

Compensation

$145,480–$189,126/year

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Job Description

Summary

This position is located in the Aircraft Operations Division, Flight Operations Directorate. As a Project Pilot you will pilot aircraft used in the development and test programs; perform flights and ground simulations of advanced missions; and serve as a pilot aboard a helicopter.

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

01/12/2026 to 01/23/2026

Salary $145,480 to - $189,126 per year Pay scale & grade GS 13

Location

Duties

Serves as a rotary-wing instructor pilot. Proactively maintains all pilot qualifications and proficiency requirements. Conducts annual egress, emergency procedures training, and Crew Resource Management training.
Provides instructional training, briefings, syllabus events, and evaluation flights in support of Astronaut Space Flight Readiness Training. Maintains instructional material, syllabus, and proficiency exams.
Reviews and maintains applicable aircraft flight manuals, checklists, and aircraft-specific standard operating procedures in accordance with official NASA directives. Conducts standardization meetings to illicit feedback to operational documentation.
Identifies hazards and reports unsafe acts and procedures. Supports the investigation and resolution of aircraft anomalies and mishaps as assigned, and actively participates in safety inspections and training.
Serves as a project team member providing operational expertise for aircraft upgrades, modifications, and functional check flights.
Communicates effectively with other project pilots and NASA managers to effectively utilize aircrew and aircraft to maximize mission accomplishment.
Manages project schedules and supports key review processes, including the Configuration Control Panel, Test Readiness Review, Flight Readiness Review, and Operational Readiness Review, for modifications to division aircraft.

Requirements

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
You must be proficient in the English language.
At the time of initial appointment, you must possess a current FAA first class medical certificate or a military pilot flight physical; OR you must obtain a NASA flight medical certification.
Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for this position you must possess:

1. Certificate and Rating:

A current Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Pilot Certificate/License with ratings OR a pilot with ratings from the armed services; AND
A current Federal Aviation Administration Flight Instructor Certificate/License with ratings OR a flight instructor with ratings from the armed services.

2. Flight Hours: A minimum of the following flight time hours:

1,500 hours of flight time as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in aircraft of any weight or category; and
250 hours pilot-in-command with rotary-wing helicopter; and
75 hours of night flying; and
100 hours of flight time in the preceding 12 months.

3. Specialized experience: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level that includes:

Participating in the planning and execution of rotary-wing aircraft sorties and evaluation activities, including functional test flights;
Conducting classroom instruction on developing, teaching, and assessing both academic and on-aircraft syllabus requirements for students training in rotary-wing aircraft;
Developing and implementing aviation safety training principles and procedures to ensure safe and standardized flight operations.

4. Specialty Flight Hours:

Instructor Time Requirement: A minimum of 500 hours providing flight instruction directly related to the area of instruction and category of aircraft in the position.

To receive proper consideration, you must:

Submit a copy of your license (front and back) with your application AND
Ensure that your flight hours are indicated in your resume.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Evaluation

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

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preferenceinformation on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Advanced Technical Training Design
Air Traffic Systems
Decision Making
Education and Training
Institutional Aircraft Operations
Mission Execution
Oral Communication
Teaching Others

NASA considers 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].

Required Documents

All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.

Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

Classified or government sensitive information.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents

If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:

License
Professional Certification
Resume

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may need to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit your OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

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