FLIGHT ENGINEER (INSTRUCTOR)
Air National Guard Units
Posted: February 5, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
Department of the Air Force
Location
Salary
$69,764 - $90,688
per year
Type
Full Time
More Engineering jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $51,332 - $66,732
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-8. Master's degree or 2 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job is for a flight engineer instructor in the Air Force Reserve, where you'll teach and evaluate crew members on operating and maintaining C-130 aircraft systems during flights.
It involves hands-on training, troubleshooting problems in the air, and ensuring safe operations.
It's a great fit for experienced military aviators with instructor qualifications who enjoy mentoring others in a structured federal role.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the FPM 930-71 Recruitment of Air Reserve Technicians through Competitive Examination (ART Agreement)-SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATION POLICY, DATED 6-OCT-2017.
No specific length of experience is required.
The qualifications of Flight Engineer (Instructor) in the Air Force are directly related to the completion of prerequisite training rather than years of experience.
Applicants for all positions must have logged the minimum number of hours indicated below in the performance of Flight Engineer (Instructor) duties.
Applicants must have been qualified as Flight Engineer Instructor within 8 YEARS of the date of application.
Applicants for instructor or examiner positions must be within the past 8 YEARS instructor or examiner qualified in the specific type of aircraft (C-130) Qualifications: Must have been awarded or qualify for a CEA AFSC and hold a valid aviation service aeronautical order.
Must be currently qualified as Instructor in MDS and have a minimum of 500 Total Military Flight Time.
C-5/C-130 NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate.
Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
FEDERALTIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.
One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-10 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.
NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of operating principles and characteristics of major aircraft systems (i.e., fuel, electrical, hydraulics, fire suppression, environmental, pressurization, engine) and the function of applicable controls, panels and indicators; and skill in analyzing operating conditions, diagnosing problems, determining alternate procedures and or initiating corrective actions.
Knowledge of the interrelationships among aircraft systems and the impact of change in performance of one on others and skill to analyze overall aircraft condition in terms of flight safety.
Knowledge of aircraft performance parameters and limitations in relation flight procedures during takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing and skill to take and interpret instrument readings, make control adjustments, manage fuel flow and update performance data.
Knowledge of the methods of instruction, aircrew training program requirements, procedures, and standards of performance; and skill to apply this knowledge in planning, developing and executing unit training/evaluation programs.
Knowledge of aircraft maintenance procedures and skill in diagnosing problems and accurately reporting detailed symptoms and conditions.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing to prepare lessons, documents and reports, present training/instruction, and brief passengers and crews.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS: May be required to travel in military and commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
Must maintain instructor qualification and demonstrate the highest degree of technical competency in the theory of flight, aerodynamics, and aircraft systems operation.
Must remain proficient in the principles of instruction and demonstrate good judgment, patience, tact, and a desire to instruct.
Must attain and maintain mission-ready status at the appropriate crew qualification level in the unit's assigned aircraft.
Periodically, as prescribed by regulations, must take and pass written and in-flight standardization/evaluation examinations to include random no-notice evaluations.
May be required to maintain flight examiner qualification.
Exposed to the hazards associated with aircraft flight including but not limited to: gravity forces up to two; working in strained or cramped position as well as exposure to inclement weather during ground operations and frequent climbing, frequent kneeling, and bending.
Additionally, exposed to extreme hazards induced from operating aircraft in an actual or simulated tactical environment, which may include, but not limited to, combat aircrew training sorties, aggressive maneuvers, low level flights, formation flights, aerial refuelings, airdrops, maximum effort takeoffs, maximum effort landings, and unpressurized operations at high altitude or other related scenarios.
The position requires good judgment, patience, tact, and a desire to instruct. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.
You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position.
ARTs are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay.
Air Reserve units and members; are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency.
For additional information regarding ART positions and/or military qualifications, please call 1-800-257-1212. Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the AF Reserve.
Retired military that have active AF Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position) on the application.
A military service member's statement of service/certification will be accepted IF a terminal leave form or DD214 cannot be provided.
The statement/certification should indicate member's separation from active duty is within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.
It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin, your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e.
honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment.
Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
Individuals selected for ART positions must meet both civilian qualifications and uniformed military requirements.
In addition to meeting civilian qualifications, applicants must obtain military membership in the Air Force Reserve, wear the uniform, maintain job-specific military specialty requirements, and meet other military qualifications such as age, height, weight, and physical fitness standards.
For more information click here and speak with an Air Force Reserve Recruiter. Major Duties:
The primary purpose of this position is: as an Air Reserve Technician (ART), to perform aircrew duties as an instructor flight engineer for the C-130 and/or helicopter aircraft; to administer, schedule and conduct flight and ground training for flight engineers; and to perform staff support duties This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position.
The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies.
The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
DUTIES: Conducts in-flight, classroom and on-the-job training of Reserve and ART flight engineers. Prepare lectures, demonstrate, plan, review and revise training plans and schedules.
Advises organizational commander or staff agencies on status of flight engineer activities and adequacy of equipment.
Maintains aircraft forms and records during flight and while aircraft is away from home station. Computes and applies aircraft weight, balance, and performance data.
Determines and verifies passenger, cargo, fuel, and emergency and special equipment distribution and weight. Computes aircraft weight and balance to ensure specified limits are maintained.
Determines engine fuel consumption using airspeed, atmospheric data, charts, computer, or electronic calculator.
Assists pilot or performs engine starts, and monitors run-up, flight operations, and engine shutdown.
Controls, monitors, and regulates aircraft systems such as electric, communication, navigation, hydraulic, pneudraulic, fuel, air conditioning, and pressurization; ventilation; auxiliary power unit; and lubrication systems.
Reports abnormal conditions to pilot, and recommends corrective action. Performs duties as gunner, hoist operator, and cargo sling operator.
Visually monitors aircraft clearances (interior and exterior), identifies proximal threats to the aircraft and initiates corrective actions (aircraft scanning).
Organizes flight engineering standardization, qualification, and other requirements of flight engineer logs, reports, and records for accuracy, completeness, format, and compliance with current directives.
Administers qualification flight to personnel engaged in flight engineer activities within flight test and operations organizations.
Directs standardization of flight engineer performance in conjunction with aircraft performance engineering, engine conditioning, and preventive maintenance programs..
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