Aircraft Pilot (Direct Hire)

📍 Houston, Texas · 🏛 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · 💰 $161,169–$197,200 per year · 🎓 GS 14 · 🧭 Aircraft Operation (2181) · ⏳ Closes Nov 12, 2026 · 1 days left · 🗓 Posted Oct 30, 2026
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About this job

This position is located within the Aircraft Operations Division. As a Research Pilot/Aviation Safety Officer you will pilot aircraft used in research, development, flight training, and test programs. You will assume the role of Aviation Safety Officer and Deputy Chief, Aviation Safety Office in which you will be responsible for the overall safe flight operations and maintenance of 26 aircraft, five different type aircraft, and over 60 active aircrew.

Duties

Serves as an instructor pilot aboard a high-performance jet trainer and performs classroom and simulator instructor duty in support of astronaut Space Flight Readiness Training.

Serves as pilot-in-command or co-pilot aboard a large two-engine business jet and/or a large four engine turbo propeller cargo aircraft flying a variety of missions, requiring occasional extended domestic or overseas deployment.

As pilot-in-command, responsible for managing up to 9 crew, supporting passengers during mission support operations, and/or engineers and scientists for airborne science missions.

Serves as a safety team member reviewing engineering designs and operational readiness proposals that support research flight programs and airborne science missions using aircraft upgrades/modifications.

Represents the Aviation Safety Office at Test Readiness Reviews, Flight Readiness Reviews, and Operational Readiness Reviews for modifications to division aircraft and deployment of personnel.

Identifies aviation hazards and reports unsafe acts and procedures. Manages investigations of aircraft anomalies and mishaps. Key member in safety inspections and training of the Aircraft Operations Division.

Manages all aspects of aviation safety matters. Provides monthly briefings to all aircrew on safety concerns, mishaps, close calls, and hazards.

Communicates effectively with other military services, civilian aircraft producers, NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, and Aircraft Operations Division leadership on safety concerns and mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

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's license with an instrument rating OR A pilot and instrument rating from the armed services AND A flight instructor certification 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 in fixed wing aircraft, 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-13 level that includes: Participating in an organization's Aviation Safety Management System; Providing aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, flight operations, and/or the range of human behavior and its potential for error to evaluate critical issues related to the safe operation of aircraft. Evaluating and conducting safety hazards or potentially dangerous conditions during missions and/or investigations, implementing remedial action to prevent or eliminate recurrence. Desired Experience: Experience as a military instructor pilot in an ejection seat aircraft and hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate 4. 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 pilots 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. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Super-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of super intelligent (SI) or SI-assisted tools during the application process.

Evaluations

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' Preference information 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 Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Institutional Aircraft Operations Accident Investigation Decision Making Oral Communication Teamwork To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13101073 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: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link. Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. 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 vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact NSSC-STAFFING@MAIL.NASA.GOV for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Johnson Space Center will not be accepted for this announcement. NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

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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: What to include in your resume. 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: Professional 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.

What to expect next

Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (Account Login), 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: Application Status. Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager. If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer. An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.

Other information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement. For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority, well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position, as determined through SME review of the resume/application. If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP, you must: Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents." For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap. Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal government within the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/. Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit. Probationary Period You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this Aircraft Pilot (Direct Hire) job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $161,169–$197,200 per year (GS 14).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 12, 2026 — 1 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Houston, Texas with the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

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Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-11 · Announcement JSC-27-DE-13101073-LC · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
Aircraft Pilot (Direct Hire)
Nov 12, 2026 deadlineApply