If you're ready for a new and rewarding challenge and for the ability to make a difference every day, we have a great opportunity for you! As a Principal Pilot, you will be responsible for overseeing the most critical and complex missions, providing expert guidance, and setting strategic operational directions. You will ensure mission success through advanced piloting skills, exceptional leadership, and a comprehensive understanding of strategic objectives. Your role will include significant input into program development, operational strategy, and the mentorship of senior and junior pilots.The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.
Responsibilities:
Lead and manage the execution of high-stakes and complex missions.
Develop and implement strategic operational plans to support organizational objectives.
Provide expert piloting skills for the most challenging and critical missions.
Mentor and guide senior and junior pilots, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Oversee safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management for all missions.
Serve as a key advisor to leadership on aviation and operational matters.
Lead the analysis and review of mission outcomes to drive improvements.
Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to enhance aircraft performance and safety.
Represent the organization in high-level meetings and briefings.
Drive innovation and excellence in all aspects of flight operations and mission execution.
Qualifications You Must Have:
8+ years of experience.
Minimum of 5,000 hours of total flight time.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with instrument and multi-engine ratings.
Proven leadership experience in high-stakes operational environments.
In-depth knowledge of strategic planning and aviation management.
FAA issued Second Class Medical Certificate.
Ability to pass a FAA/Military Pilot Background Check and mandatory drug and alcohol screen.
A minimum of 1500 hours total fixed-wing as pilot-in-command (PIC) time in a multi-engine turbo prop aircraft, jet aircraft, or combination thereof in aircraft with GTOW 12,500 or greater.
Note: PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls. SNC considers only pilot time in fixed wing aircraft toward minimum qualifications. This does not include simulator, helicopter, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, RIO, EWO, WSO, NFO, or Special Crew.
Qualifications We Prefer:
Military flight training background.
Experience in executive leadership roles within combat or operational missions.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification.
Advanced degrees in aviation, aerospace, or related fields.
Experience with cutting-edge aviation technology and systems.
Bachelor's degree in a related field of study.
Recent mission completion and/or prior service.
US Military survival and/or physiological training.
Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense, or US Military.
2000 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in-command (PIC) or second-in-command (SIC) in a multi-engine turbo-prop aircraft, jet aircraft, or combination thereof with GTOW 12,500 or greater.
Essential Functions:
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
Ability to remain seated and operate flight controls for extended periods.
Frequent travel required; ability to be on-call for missions.
Ability to work in potentially hazardous or high-stress environments.
Must possess fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination for operating aircraft controls.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Must be able to hear and respond to audio cues in loud environments.
Capacity to work in an office or hybrid environment when not on missions.
This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.
SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position requires current/active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.
Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!
SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber.
As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It’s part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow.
Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.