Chief Pilot

Lockheed Martin•Fort Rucker, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

WHAT WE’RE DOING Rotary and Mission Systems' Training, Logistics and Simulation (TLS) business is Lockheed Martin’s center of excellence for training and logistics products and services, serving the U.S. military and more than 65 international customers around the world. TLS develops programs that teach service men and women skills to accomplish their most challenging missions — flying the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, navigating ships, and driving armored vehicles. THE WORK The Chief Pilot 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.

Requirements

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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

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.
Travel 10-15% of the time