Mid Level Contract Pilot Jobs
Mid level contract pilot jobs go to aviators ready to take full ownership of flight operations, serve as the decision-maker in the cockpit without close supervision, and mentor less experienced crew. Openings are concentrated across Chemicals & Materials, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Food & Beverage, with employers like LANXESS, Shield AI, and Sail Biomedicines hiring at this level now.
Find Mid Level Contract Pilot JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 9+ Mid Level Contract Pilot jobs
INTRODUCTION
The Scientist I/Senior Engineer I, Pilot Lab lead will oversee a pilot laboratory responsible for producing engineered RNA (eRNA) and targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs). A primary responsibility is the regular execution and delivery of gram-scale eRNA and/or tLNP manufacturing campaigns. This individual will manage direct reports while remaining actively involved in laboratory operations. They will create an organized, efficient, and scalable working environment; introduce and improve processes; and ensure that manufacturing activities are completed safely, consistently, on schedule, and with accurate documentation. The role requires independent judgment, strong scientific or engineering acumen, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, execute, and deliver recurring gram-scale eRNA and tLNP manufacturing campaigns for large in vivo studies.
- Lead and participate in eRNA and/or tLNP manufacturing activities, including IVT, chromatography, T-mixer lipid formulation, conjugation or targeting operations, normal (NFF) and tangential flow filtration (TFF), and fill-finish, as applicable.
- Manage, coach, and develop a small team of scientists and/or engineers by setting priorities, assigning work, providing technical guidance, and supporting professional development.
- Oversee daily pilot laboratory operations, including production scheduling, capacity planning, equipment coordination, material readiness, inventory, and laboratory organization.
- Develop, implement, optimize, and transfer scalable eRNA and tLNP processes into routine pilot-laboratory manufacturing.
- Provide technical leadership for upstream and downstream eRNA production, including synthesis, purification, filtration, concentration, and buffer exchange.
- Troubleshoot complex process, equipment, and manufacturing issues using scientific or engineering principles and independent judgment.
- Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements that increase throughput, process robustness, consistency, and ease of execution.
- Author and review protocols, batch records, SOPs, technical reports, equipment procedures, and process-development documentation, ensuring records are accurate, complete, and traceable.
- Analyze process and analytical data, communicate recommendations, and collaborate with Process Development, Analytical Development, Research, Quality, Operations, Facilities, EHS, and in vivo study teams.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, technical rigor, and attention to detail.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements for Either Level:
- Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or developing technical personnel.
- Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, bioprocessing, or biologics manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience executing pilot-scale or gram-scale manufacturing processes.
- Experience developing, scaling, transferring, or routinely executing biological production processes.
- Experience with relevant unit operations such as TFF, chromatography, filtration, concentration, or buffer exchange.
- Strong technical writing, documentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver manufacturing campaigns on schedule.
QUALIFICATIONS
Scientist I
- PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline; MS with at least 6 years of relevant industry experience; or BS with at least 8 years of relevant industry experience.
Senior Engineer I
- Master’s degree in engineering or a related discipline with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or BS in an engineering discipline with at least 6 years of relevant industry experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Direct experience producing LNPs or tLNPs at gram scale for in vivo studies.
- Experience with RNA or eRNA synthesis, purification, and drug-substance manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience with T-mixer formulation and TFF process development or execution.
- Experience operating in a pilot-scale, process-development, GLP, or GMP-adjacent environment.
- Experience introducing new equipment or processes into an active manufacturing laboratory.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000
Sail Biomedicines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sail does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
INTRODUCTION
The Scientist I/Senior Engineer I, Pilot Lab lead will oversee a pilot laboratory responsible for producing engineered RNA (eRNA) and targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs). A primary responsibility is the regular execution and delivery of gram-scale eRNA and/or tLNP manufacturing campaigns. This individual will manage direct reports while remaining actively involved in laboratory operations. They will create an organized, efficient, and scalable working environment; introduce and improve processes; and ensure that manufacturing activities are completed safely, consistently, on schedule, and with accurate documentation. The role requires independent judgment, strong scientific or engineering acumen, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, execute, and deliver recurring gram-scale eRNA and tLNP manufacturing campaigns for large in vivo studies.
- Lead and participate in eRNA and/or tLNP manufacturing activities, including IVT, chromatography, T-mixer lipid formulation, conjugation or targeting operations, normal (NFF) and tangential flow filtration (TFF), and fill-finish, as applicable.
- Manage, coach, and develop a small team of scientists and/or engineers by setting priorities, assigning work, providing technical guidance, and supporting professional development.
- Oversee daily pilot laboratory operations, including production scheduling, capacity planning, equipment coordination, material readiness, inventory, and laboratory organization.
- Develop, implement, optimize, and transfer scalable eRNA and tLNP processes into routine pilot-laboratory manufacturing.
- Provide technical leadership for upstream and downstream eRNA production, including synthesis, purification, filtration, concentration, and buffer exchange.
- Troubleshoot complex process, equipment, and manufacturing issues using scientific or engineering principles and independent judgment.
- Identify bottlenecks and implement improvements that increase throughput, process robustness, consistency, and ease of execution.
- Author and review protocols, batch records, SOPs, technical reports, equipment procedures, and process-development documentation, ensuring records are accurate, complete, and traceable.
- Analyze process and analytical data, communicate recommendations, and collaborate with Process Development, Analytical Development, Research, Quality, Operations, Facilities, EHS, and in vivo study teams.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, technical rigor, and attention to detail.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements for Either Level:
- Demonstrated experience leading, supervising, or developing technical personnel.
- Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, bioprocessing, or biologics manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience executing pilot-scale or gram-scale manufacturing processes.
- Experience developing, scaling, transferring, or routinely executing biological production processes.
- Experience with relevant unit operations such as TFF, chromatography, filtration, concentration, or buffer exchange.
- Strong technical writing, documentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver manufacturing campaigns on schedule.
QUALIFICATIONS
Scientist I
- PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline; MS with at least 6 years of relevant industry experience; or BS with at least 8 years of relevant industry experience.
Senior Engineer I
- Master’s degree in engineering or a related discipline with at least 4 years of relevant industry experience; or BS in an engineering discipline with at least 6 years of relevant industry experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Direct experience producing LNPs or tLNPs at gram scale for in vivo studies.
- Experience with RNA or eRNA synthesis, purification, and drug-substance manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience with T-mixer formulation and TFF process development or execution.
- Experience operating in a pilot-scale, process-development, GLP, or GMP-adjacent environment.
- Experience introducing new equipment or processes into an active manufacturing laboratory.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000
Sail Biomedicines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Sail does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
See All 9 Mid Level Contract Pilot Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Mid Level Contract Pilot JobsMid Level Contract Pilot Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Food & Beverage
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
Mid Level Contract Pilot Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level contract pilot job?
Position yourself around the depth and autonomy you already bring. Highlight the aircraft types you are rated on, the operational environments you have navigated, and any time you served as pilot-in-command on complex missions or routes. Tailor your resume to show decisions you owned, not just hours logged. Contracts at this level reward pilots who can step in with minimal onboarding and deliver from day one.
Which companies hire mid level contract pilots?
Companies hiring mid level contract pilots right now include LANXESS, Shield AI, and Sail Biomedicines, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level typically comes from regional carriers, charter operators, corporate flight departments, and government contractors that need experienced pilots who can operate independently on short notice.
Are there remote mid level contract pilot jobs?
Yes, though the nature of flying limits fully remote roles to adjacent work like simulator instruction, flight planning, or regulatory compliance. About 0% of mid level contract pilot openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting those ground-based or administrative contract roles alongside traditional on-site flight assignments.
How do I move up to a mid level contract pilot role?
Moving from entry level into mid level piloting is about accumulating varied, complex flight time and showing you can operate without close supervision. Build hours across different aircraft types, weather conditions, and operational settings. Take on pilot-in-command responsibilities whenever possible, and seek out assignments that require you to manage route decisions and crew coordination independently. Measurable outcomes, like safety records and mission completion rates, strengthen the case considerably.
Which industries hire the most mid level contract pilots?
Mid Level contract pilot roles concentrate in Chemicals & Materials, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Food & Beverage, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring because they depend on flexible, experienced aviation professionals who can be deployed quickly across varied missions, routes, or client needs without extensive onboarding.