Aerial Firefighting Line Pilot

Base pay range: $/yr – $/yr

Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas—including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. Wherever we operate, we build vertically integrated full stacks of capability—designing, building, and operating turnkey solutions that let customers scale capacity while benefiting from continuous cycles of innovation.

With operators and engineers under one roof, we close the gap between lab and field, connecting design with effect. Metrea’s solutions are built for elegance: effective, efficient, and evolving. This approach enables our partners to do more with less and achieve outsized, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Metrea has facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond.

Special Air Missions Group (SAM) is responsible for developing and delivering Metrea’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Special Mobility, and Aerial Firefighting (AFF) capabilities. SAM oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialized aviation operations. It manages fleet maintenance, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships to enhance mission effectiveness. By consolidating expertise and infrastructure, SAM ensures Metrea’s airborne capabilities remain adaptable and mission‑ready across dynamic operational environments.

We are seeking highly skilled and motivated Line Pilots to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have experience in aerial firefighting, specifically in multi‑engine long‑term retardant application. DHC‑8 tactical and low‑level experience is highly desirable. They will be responsible for safe, effective, efficient multi‑mission airtanker operations in a multi‑crew environment. AFF line pilots report to the Aerial Firefighting Head of Flight Operations.

This role is also responsible for flight planning, conducting aircraft pre‑flight checks, and coordinating with company schedulers, clients, and aircrew to facilitate trip execution and operations. In addition to flying, AFF line pilots support development and continuous refinement of SOPs and TTPs, participate in Metrea’s Aviation Safety and Management System, and represent Metrea’s core values to coworkers and customers.

• Assist the Aerial Firefighting Head of Flight Operations with ensuring all administrative paperwork and daily tasks are completed on time and in accordance with applicable industry FAA standards.
• Ensure all facets of trip planning (weather, navigation, facilities, aircraft airworthiness, aircraft performance, security, and customer requests) are conducted in accordance with FAA regulations, Company Operations Manual, Operations Specifications, Standard Operating Procedures, and Company Policies and Procedures.
• During flight, be responsible for the safety of the crew members, cabin contents, and the airplane.
• Ensure all pre‑flight, cockpit, and post‑flight checks are completed in accordance with the AFM, Standard Operating Procedures, and Company Operations Manual.
• Complete and submit all post‑flight documentation including flight logs, maintenance discrepancies, receipts for billing, and required FAA reports.
• Proactively participate in safety and quality systems by identifying, reporting, and mitigating hazards and quality issues; provide timely input to management and apply systems processes to address safety and quality issues.
• Ensure aircrew and maintenance personnel comply with safety standards when operating or maintaining company aircraft.
• When assigned as Pilot in Command (PIC), may delegate functions and duties to other crew members but retain full responsibility.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned by higher authority.
• Deliver safe, effective, and efficient aerial firefighting operations to customers worldwide.
• Achieve and maintain licensing and endorsement applicable for the…