FTO Test Pilot - B737-800 Next Gen Testbed

About the company

Raytheon, an RTX business, is a defence and aerospace technology company with more than 100 years of engineering experience. The company develops advanced technologies and systems to support national security and defence operations.

Raytheon's work is guided by five core values: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation.

About the position

Raytheon's Systems Engineering and Test Capabilities (SE&TC) organisation is seeking an experienced Test Pilot to join its Flight Test Operations (FTO) team in Ontario, California.

The successful candidate will support the introduction and operation of the new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Testbed, which will replace the Boeing 727 Raytheon Multi-program Testbed (RMT).

This position involves planning, coordinating and executing manned flight test missions across multiple aircraft platforms. The role requires close collaboration with engineering, aircraft maintenance and flight operations teams to ensure the safe and effective execution of flight test programmes.

In addition to the Boeing 737-800, the Test Pilot will support operations involving other Raytheon test aircraft, including the Challenger 601.

This is an onsite position requiring occasional domestic and international travel to support flight test activities.

Your responsibilities

Flight test operations

• Plan and coordinate flight test missions involving military test ranges and FAA-controlled airspace.
• Support the execution of manned flight test programmes across Raytheon's test aircraft fleet.
• Conduct internal flight test readiness evaluations and coordinate customer airworthiness audits.
• Lead flight test mission planning meetings, operational briefings and coordination activities.
• Contribute to flight test reporting, documentation and mission evaluations.
• Provide technical and operational expertise to support flight test planning and execution.
• Maintain the qualifications and currency required to operate as a test pilot crew member on designated Raytheon aircraft.

Aircraft operations and coordination

• Coordinate aircraft maintenance activities with engineering teams and subcontracted maintenance providers.
• Support flight operations oversight and aircraft readiness assessments.
• Work closely with engineering, maintenance and mission support personnel to ensure successful test execution.
• Maintain operational qualifications on Raytheon FTO test aircraft, including:
  • Boeing 737-800
  • Bombardier Challenger 601
  • Boeing 727-200
  • Cessna 206
• Ensure flight test activities comply with applicable aviation regulations and company procedures.

Flight test deployments

• Support flight test activities at military and civilian test facilities.
• Participate in classified flight testing programmes and Special Access Program (SAP) environments.
• Travel up to 20% of the time to domestic and overseas test ranges.
• Support flight test deployments typically lasting one to two weeks.

Typical deployment locations include:

• Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
• Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
• Tucson, Arizona
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Requirements

Candidates must meet the following qualifications and experience criteria.

Licences and flight qualifications

• Hold a valid Commercial Pilot Certificate.
• Be able to obtain and maintain an FAA First Class medical certificate.
• Be able to hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
• Have a minimum of 1,500 total flight hours.
• Have at least 500 flight hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
• Have a minimum of 1,000 hours of turbine aircraft experience.
• Multi-engine turbine aircraft experience is desirable.

Professional experience

• University degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically, a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Previous Boeing 737 flying experience.
• Operational or military test pilot experience.
• Flight test experience within the last 10 years.
• Experience supporting complex aircraft operations and flight test activities.
• Ability to coordinate with engineering, maintenance and operational teams.

Security clearance and eligibility

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must hold an active and transferable U.S. government-issued security clearance before the employment start date.
• Required security clearance level: Department of Defense (DoD) Secret.
• Must be able to obtain an interim U.S. government security clearance before the start date, as required.
• Must be eligible to work in classified and Special Access Program (SAP) environments.

Security clearances are processed and adjudicated through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS).

Preferred qualifications

The following qualifications and experience will be considered an advantage:

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
• Graduation from a military Test Pilot School, Weapons School or equivalent formal training programme.
• Advanced pilot qualifications, including Instructor Pilot or Flight Examiner.
• Experience operating large multi-engine turbine aircraft exceeding 12,500 lbs with onboard mission crews.
• Tactical fighter test pilot experience.
• Experience leading flight operations teams or aircraft maintenance organisations.
• Experience working in flight test mission control environments.
• Previous involvement in classified flight test programmes.
• Active Top Secret security clearance.

Professional competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of flight test operations and aircraft performance.
• Excellent situational awareness and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and coordination across technical teams.
• Strong leadership and mission planning abilities.
• Ability to work in complex and highly regulated operating environments.
• Commitment to flight safety, technical accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Flexibility to support changing mission requirements and travel schedules.

Salary and benefits

Raytheon offers an estimated annual salary range of $145,600 to $276,800 USD.

The final compensation package will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, location and the responsibilities of the position.

Employee benefits

Depending on eligibility, business unit and applicable employment agreements, benefits may include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedule arrangements, where applicable.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Scholar Program supporting further education.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Relocation assistance.

Eligible employees may also be considered for annual short-term or long-term incentive compensation programmes. Incentive payments are not guaranteed and depend on individual, business unit and company performance.

Work location and travel

Primary work location: Ontario, California, United States.

This is an onsite position, and the successful candidate will be expected to work primarily at the designated Raytheon facility.

The role requires travel of up to 20%, including occasional deployments to domestic and international flight test locations.

Candidates may also be required to attend selected stages of the recruitment process in person.

Application information

Applicants should ensure they meet the required pilot qualifications, flight experience and security clearance conditions before applying.

Relevant qualifications and experience should be clearly documented, particularly:

• Commercial Pilot and ATP qualifications.
• Total flight time and Pilot-in-Command experience.
• Turbine aircraft experience.
• Boeing 737 operating experience.
• Operational or military flight test experience.
• Previous flight test activities within the last 10 years.
• Security clearance status.
• Relevant technical, engineering or military training.

The recruitment notice indicates an anticipated application window of approximately 40 days from its original publication date of 9 October 2026. The application period may be shortened or extended depending on recruitment needs.

Join Raytheon's Flight Test Operations team

If you are an experienced Test Pilot with Boeing 737 experience, a strong background in flight testing and the required U.S. security clearance, this position offers an opportunity to support advanced aerospace and defence flight test programmes.

Join Raytheon's Flight Test Operations team and contribute to the development and operation of its new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation Testbed.