Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  

• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Responsibilities

MSTS is seeking a professional pilot to join our Aviation Department to support the Remote Sensing Laboratory located at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV. We operate both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters making this a unique dual rated pilot position in support of the the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). 

Initially perform pilot duties as a Second in Command (Pilot 1, see below) in a King Air 350ER and AW139, with the intent to upgrade to Pilot in Command in both.  Continued employment is contingent on the successful completion of both type rating courses (KingAir 350 and AW139) as well as possessing the ability to upgrade to Pilot 4 in a timely manner (typically a year).

The NNSA Air unit is first and foremost an emergency response team.  The emergency we are prepared for is rare.  However, pilots must be prepared to respond if activated. As such, MSTS has very reasonable but strict standby requirements for the response teams. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Standby requirements and considerations include:

• Pilots are required to be on standby as needed, usually 2-3 weeks at a time per month. Occasionally longer than 3 weeks depending on staffing.

• Pilots are paid $40 per day extra to be on standby.

• Pilots must reside within 2 hours of your assigned base while on standby.

• Pilots on standby must have reliable cell phone reception.

• Pilot must remain fit to fly while on standby.

• If called out, pilots must be able to deploy for potentially several weeks straight.

• Standby positions require an additional physical and inoculations to maintain a deployable status.

• Deployments for several weeks at a time are possible for both emergency response and non-emergency response missions.

• Pilots will develop written mission planning documents, risk/hazards assessments for missions, perform and provide safety and mission briefings to the technical crew, e.g., mission scientists, and electronic technician/operators.

Pre-Flight Responsibilities: 

• Flight Planning: Study flight plans, evaluate weather reports, and check factors like fuel requirements, aircraft weight, and payload limits. [

• Aircraft Inspections: Perform comprehensive walk-arounds and instrument checks before takeoff to verify the condition of engines, landing gear, and navigation systems. [

• Crew Briefings: Inform the flight crew and co-pilots about flight details, safety protocols, and route-specific conditions. 

• In-Flight Responsibilities:

• Navigation and Control: Operate aircraft controls and navigate along planned routes, relying on visual references and cockpit instrumentation. 

• Air Traffic Communication: Maintain continuous contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to manage takeoffs, landings, and altitude or route modifications. 

• System Monitoring: Continuously monitor engines, fuel consumption, and weather. Alter routes to avoid turbulence or severe storms. 

• Passenger Communication: Provide regular updates regarding flight status, weather, and delays. 

• Crew Management: Collaborate closely with the First Officer (co-pilot) and Cabin Crew to execute standard operating procedures and ensure passenger safety. 

Post-Flight Responsibilities:

• Aircraft Shut Down: Ensure the aircraft is properly secured and parked upon arrival.

• Documentation: Fill out official logbooks, maintenance logs, and status reports, noting any system malfunctions for the ground maintenance team. 

Safety & Emergency Management:

• Emergency Protocol: Make split-second decisions and manage communication with ATC and crew if mechanical, medical, or weather-related emergencies occur.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adhere strictly to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations or local aviation authority standards.

• Continued Training: Participate in mandatory training, simulator tests, and health evaluations to maintain flight certifications. 

• Perform other related work as assigned by Supervisor.

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 6 years of professional level experience.

• At a minimum, must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument ratings in both Airplane Multi-engine Land and Rotorcraft Helicopter.

• At a minimum, must hold an FAA Second Class Medical Certificate.

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent and at least 2 years of professional level experience. FAA pilot certificate with necessary category and class ratings required.

• Must have documented flight experience that meets or exceeds 1500 hours total time with at least 500 hours in airplanes and 500 hours in helicopters.

• Thorough knowledge of FAA regulations, Part 91 Operations and Public Aircraft Operations.

• Applicant is required to consent for the release of their information maintained in the FAA Pilot Records Database in accordance with 14CFR Part 111.

• Must possess excellent communications skills.

Desired:

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate Airplane Multiengine Land and Rotorcraft-Helicopter.

• 2500 hours total time with 300 hours in King Air series aircraft and 300 hours in twin turbine helicopters in the previous 24 months.

• AW-139 Type Rating

• BE-300 Type Rating.

• Proline Fusion Avionics experience.

• FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificates.

• Turbine aircraft experience.

• Formal Training at an FAA Part 142 Training Center such as Flight Safety.

• The primary work location will be based at the Remote Sensing Laboratories at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

• Much of the scheduled work takes place during normal working hours (0630-1700) Monday-Thursday. However, there are occasions where weekend and off-hours work are required.  During these times, pilots are required to adjust their schedules to accommodate the nonstandard mission requirements. 

• Must be willing and able to work non-standard hours in various environments with the possibility to deploy worldwide on short notice.

• Must be willing and able to fulfill a standby emergency response duty position.

• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

• Must possess a valid driver's license. 

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

Annual salary range: 

• Pilot 1 $83,720.00 - $125,590.40.

• This position starts within the Pilot 1 range.  

  Pilots are upgraded from Pilot 1 through Pilot 4 based on the following:

• Pilot 1-  New hire, type rating course competed and internal SIC qualification program in one aircraft.

• Pilot 2-  Type rating in both, internal SIC qualification program in both aircraft.

• Pilot 3- Upgrade to PIC in one aircraft, SIC in other.

• Pilot 4-  Upgrade to PIC in both aircraft.

Annual Salary:

• Pilot 1   $83,720.00 - $125,590.40

• Pilot 2   $109,054.40 - $163,592.00

• Pilot 3   $134,222.40 - $201,344.00

• Pilot 4   $159,390.40 -$239,096.00

It is expected that all new hire pilots will work to advance to Pilot 4 as soon as possible. The Aviation team will encourage and enable new hire pilots to advance as soon as is practical.