How to hire a pilot control operator

How to hire a pilot control operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pilot control operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pilot control operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pilot control operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pilot control operator you need to hire. Certain pilot control operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect pilot control operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pilot control operators.

   Type of Pilot Control Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Pilot Control Operator		$13-20
   Production Employee	In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas... Show more	$12-20
   Production Worker	Production workers are employees who are usually seen in an assembly line in a company's factory. They are responsible for a specific part of the production of goods for the company... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • FAA
   • Traffic Control
   • Radar
   • Federal Aviation
   • ISR
   • Customer Service

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and manage a comprehensive vendor qualification program to support the GMP manufacture of vaccine products.
   • Lead autonomous deployments throughout the Caribbean.
   • Implement backup and recovery of system bootloaders via Fastbooot, ADB and Odin.
   • Enter nominations into SCADA and work with various pipeline companies on ensuring they get their product in timely, safe manner.
   • Provide office support to take reservations, schedule private dining parties, and serve as receptionist in back office of restaurant.
   • Institutionalize corporate SOX process for non-recurring engineering revenue.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pilot control operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A pilot control operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, pilot control operators' average salary in arkansas is 35% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pilot control operators earn 33% less than senior-level pilot control operators.
   • Certifications. A pilot control operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a pilot control operator's salary.

   Average pilot control operator salary

   $16.73hourly

   $34,791 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level pilot control operator salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

4. Writing a pilot control operator job description

   A pilot control operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a pilot control operator job description:

   Pilot control operator job description example

   + **PLEASE NOTE: This is** **NOT** **a UAS / UAV / RPV / DRONE pilot position.**
   
   We are looking for **Full-time, Remote Pilot Operator (RPO)** candidates to join the SAIC Controller Training Solutions (CTS) team at the **Washington National ATCT (DCA), located in Washington, D.C.,** supporting air traffic controller training services for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
   
   **Job Description:**
   
   The RPO plays the role of the pilot and other controllers in the Air Traffic Controller training simulator. The RPO operates a combination of a simulated air traffic display and voice communication system to simulate the actions and communication of pilots and remote ATC facilities during medium and high-fidelity training exercises. RPOs receive voice commands from students, input proper entries into the automated system to simulate pilot actions, translate displayed information into appropriate ATC terminology, and respond to the student via the VCS utilizing proper phraseology.
   
   The candidate will be required to complete the following certifications: Classroom (pass test on airspace and procedures) and Lab (perform as a Remote Pilot Operator on all positions).
   
   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for ensuring that air traffic control specialists provide the flying public with a high level of safety and professionalism. A well-trained Air Traffic Control (ATC) workforce plays an essential role in fulfilling this responsibility. The FAA employs more than 14,000 air traffic controllers. They work in air traffic facilities of varying sizes, safely separating more than 50,000 aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS) each day.
   
   To provide such air traffic services, the FAA trains new air traffic control specialists and provides recurrent training to current air traffic control specialists. The FAA utilizes Contractor-provided instructional services at FAA ATC facilities throughout the U.S. and its Territories to ensure these training needs are met. The scope of the contractor-provided services includes all training and training program support to successfully train and prepare students to become fully certified air traffic controllers. SAIC must provide training and training related support services as required for all types and levels of ATC facilities.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Required Qualifications:**
   
   Candidates for this position must have a minimum of a high school diploma (or equivalent) and demonstrate basic computer proficiency. Candidates must possess an ability to read and interpret materials such as diagrams and manuals, and have the ability to speak clearly and be understood.
   
   **US Citizenship is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.**
   
   **Desired Skills and Experience:**
   
   + Experience working in a multidisciplinary team (Multimedia Developers, Quality Assurance, Instructions System Designers, Subject Matter Experts, Instructors)
   
   + Experience and certification in ATC Tower, TRACON or En Route simulation lab is strongly desired, but not required
   
   + Effective oral and written communications skills
   
   + Working knowledge of the FAAO JO 7110.65 is strongly desired, but not required
   
   + Effective team building skills
   
   + MS Office Suite Proficiency (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
   
   + Basic familiarization of current technologic tools (tablets, notebooks, applications, etc.)
   
   + Basic familiarization or experience with pilot/controller communications or phraseology
   
   Covid Policy: SAIC does not require COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters. Customer site vaccination requirements must be followed when work is performed at a customer site.
   REQNUMBER: 2215267
   
   SAIC is a premier technology integrator, solving our nation's most complex modernization and systems engineering challenges across the defense, space, federal civilian, and intelligence markets. Our robust portfolio of offerings includes high-end solutions in systems engineering and integration; enterprise IT, including cloud services; cyber; software; advanced analytics and simulation; and training. We are a team of 23,000 strong driven by mission, united purpose, and inspired by opportunity. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see Working at SAIC. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find pilot control operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pilot control operator job on Zippia to find and recruit pilot control operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with pilot control operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pilot control operator

   Once you've selected the best pilot control operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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