NASA
Aerospace Engineer, AST, Research Pilot (Direct Hire)
Edwards AFB, California
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odds of building a lasting career here
Files H-1B any time — no cap, no lottery. The 2026 weighted-selection rule doesn't touch it, which makes this the strongest structural path for entry-level talent. Pay is often lower, but your odds of staying are dramatically higher.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
Personalize to your clock →H-1B wage level
the lottery is wage-weighted — each level is one more entry
This range already reaches Level IV — the maximum four lottery entries.
DOL prevailing wage, 2026-27 wage year · Aerospace Engineers (17-2011) · Bakersfield-Delano, CA. Wage level is derived by USCIS from the offered wage, occupation and worksite; the occupation shown is inferred from the job title.
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About the role
- 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.
- Flight Hours: 1,500 hours of pilot-in-command (or first pilot) flight time that included at least 500 hours in jet aircraft having at least 3,000 pounds of thrust per engine.
- To receive proper consideration, you must: Submit a copy of your license (front and back) with your application AND Ensure that your flight hours are indicated in your resume.
Requirements
- To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the
- Performing Pilot in command experience in transport or bomber type aircraft
Nice to have
- Pilot graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School.
- To receive proper consideration, you must:
- Submit a copy of your 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.
Compensation
- $161k-$197k
This listing is sourced directly from NASA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.