Simulator Instructor Jobs
Simulator instructor jobs are open across aviation, defense, military contracting, and commercial training companies, from entry-level instructor roles to senior and lead positions, with specializations in flight simulation, tactical systems training, and medical or industrial simulation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About Us
ATP is the nation's largest flight school, providing students with the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career. For over 40 years, ATP has been the leader in professional flight training and supplying pilots to regional and major airlines.
The role
The Flight Simulator Instructor supports ATP Jets training operations by delivering simulator instruction in accordance with approved curricula, established company policies & procedures, & applicable FAA requirements. The ATP Jets Flight Simulator Instructor works under the supervision of ATP Jets training management and coordinates with the Director of Training, Chief Pilot, and Manager of Training Standards. The instructor supports ATP Jets 14 CFR part 142 training operations by delivering simulator instruction in accordance with assigned FAA-approved curricula, established company policies and procedures, and applicable FAA requirements.
Responsibilities
- Deliver ATP CTP, aircraft type rating, and other assigned simulator training only in courses and aircraft for which the instructor is qualified and designated in writing.
- Prepare for each lesson by reviewing the current curriculum, lesson plan, approved checklists, student training records, and applicable aircraft and simulator limitations.
- Conduct lesson briefings and debriefings in designated briefing rooms. Explain objectives, procedures, completion standards, student performance, and areas requiring additional training.
- Provide facility and simulator safety briefings, including emergency exits, emergency stop controls, seats, seat belts and shoulder harnesses, and other applicable emergency equipment and procedures.
- Verify required student identification and training eligibility documentation before the first simulator event. Refer missing documentation to Scheduling before continuing training.
- Verify and complete the required device preflight before each session. Review the Statement of Qualification, discrepancy log, and current restrictions to confirm the device is suitable for the planned training.
- Operate the instructor operating station, motion, visual, and environmental systems within device limitations and authorized configurations. Obtain approval before changing a booked off-motion session to on-motion operation.
- Teach aircraft systems, normal and abnormal procedures, emergency procedures, and required maneuvers using approved lesson content. Reinforce crew resource management, crew coordination, and sound aeronautical decision-making.
- Deliver all required lesson content and training time. When planned ATP CTP items are completed early, use the remaining required session time for additional training.
- Assess student progress against course completion standards. Provide specific, constructive feedback and promptly notify Training and Scheduling when additional training is needed.
- Complete electronic training records at the conclusion of each event, including training accomplished, applicable time, results, and precise debrief notes. Use a current full electronic signature on every lesson signoff.
- Report simulator discrepancies immediately to Technical Services or the device sponsor and document them in the required maintenance reporting system. Suspend affected training when equipment suitability or safety is in doubt.
- After FAA approval of the SCIG and issuance of TSpec D096, apply SCIG procedures only to authorized devices and operations. Coordinate discrepancy status with the authorized Discrepancy Controller, brief students on restrictions, and withhold credit for affected tasks.
- Follow authorized startup and shutdown procedures. Review the Whiteboard Timeline and shut down an FTD when no subsequent session is scheduled, including required After Landing and Parking procedures. Refer repairs and software, hardware, calibration, or configuration changes to authorized personnel.
- Communicate schedule conflicts, delays, interruptions, and incomplete training promptly to Scheduling and training management. Observe the limit of eight hours of instruction in any 24-consecutive-hour period, excluding briefings and debriefings.
- Maintain professional, respectful communication with students, colleagues, and simulator providers. Follow company and host-facility conduct and dress expectations.
- Participate in required initial and recurrent instructor training, standardization meetings, demonstrations of instruction, proficiency checks, and SMS audit activities. Support corrective actions and submit recommendations for improvements to training materials and delivery.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of assigned aircraft systems, operating procedures, simulator capabilities and limitations, and applicable course completion standards.
- Effective teaching, coaching, oral and written communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to use Whiteboard, SIMTrack, cloud-based courseware, and electronic training records accurately.
Experience and certifications of the Flight Simulator Instructor
- Meet ATP Jets eligibility requirements for the assigned course. For a simulator instructor, be at least 23 years old, read, write, speak, and understand English, and hold an unrestricted FAA ATP certificate with airplane multiengine class and appropriate aircraft type ratings.
- Complete applicable initial and recurrent training, written tests, demonstrations of instruction, proficiency checks, and recency requirements. Maintain current written designation for each assigned course before providing instruction.
- For ATP CTP assignments, hold an ATP certificate with airplane multiengine class rating without restricted ATP privileges and meet 14 CFR 142.54, including at least two years of qualifying PIC experience under 91.1053(a)(2)(i) or 135.243(a)(1), or PIC or SIC experience under part 121. Hold the type rating for the aircraft represented and complete required maneuver training and evaluation within the preceding 12 months.
- Previous air carrier piloting and flight training experience, ideally under 14 CFR part 121 or 142, is preferred for assignments other than those with specific mandatory experience requirements.
Physical Demands
- The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms, lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
ATP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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Who's Hiring


What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in simulator instructor jobs.
- Experience operating or instructing on FAA-approved or military-qualified flight simulators
- Current or prior FAA certificates such as CFI, CFII, or ATP for aviation simulator roles
- Active or clearable Department of Defense security clearance for defense and military contracts
- Demonstrated ability to design and deliver scenario-based training curricula
- Proficiency with training management systems used to track student progress and lesson completion
- Bachelor's degree in aviation, education, aerospace, or a related technical field
Tips for Your Simulator Instructor Job Search
Tailor your resume to simulation platforms
List every simulator platform you've operated by its full name and version, such as CAE 7000 series, L3Harris AATD, or Frasca 141. Generic terms like 'flight simulators' won't pass applicant tracking system filters that hiring managers actually use to screen candidates.
Highlight certifications before degrees
Employers in aviation and defense scan for FAA certifications, military qualification codes, or specific simulator operator credentials before reviewing your education. Place those credentials in a dedicated section above your work history so they appear in the first screen.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists simulator instructor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your platform experience and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your scenario expertise
Filter openings by the scenario types you've delivered, whether instrument procedures, emergency response, combat tactics, or medical crisis management. Applying to roles outside your scenario range without addressing the gap in your cover letter dramatically reduces your callback rate.
Prepare a scenario delivery demonstration
Many simulator instructor panels include a live or recorded scenario delivery segment. Prepare a five-to-ten-minute brief that shows your pacing, cue injection technique, and debrief structure. Candidates who bring a prepared demonstration close at a noticeably higher rate than those who rely on verbal description alone.
Negotiate schedule before you negotiate pay
Simulator instructor roles often run fixed shift rotations tied to equipment availability. Before accepting an offer, confirm which simulator bays you'll be assigned to, rotation length, and whether weekend blocks are mandatory. Schedule constraints are rarely flexible after the offer is signed.
Simulator Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most simulator instructors?
The companies hiring the most simulator instructors right now include CAE, ATP Flight School, and Metrea, with the largest share of openings in Florida, Arizona, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors and commercial aviation training providers consistently account for the largest volume of active postings.
How do you become a simulator instructor?
Start by building operational experience in the field the simulator replicates, whether aviation, military systems, medical procedures, or industrial operations. Then obtain the certifications your target employers require, such as FAA instructor certificates for aviation roles. Gain hours in a simulator environment as an operator or assistant before applying for lead instructor positions, and document every platform and scenario type you've worked with.
Can you get a simulator instructor job with little or no instructing experience?
Yes, if your subject-matter experience is strong. Employers in aviation and defense regularly hire candidates with deep operational backgrounds, such as military pilots or technicians, and train them on instructional delivery after hire. Emphasize your platform hours, any informal mentoring or training you've done, and your familiarity with the scenario types the role covers. Entry-level roles at training companies are the most accessible starting point.
What does the simulator instructor interview process look like?
Most simulator instructor interviews include a technical screen focused on your platform experience and certification background, followed by a panel interview with training supervisors. Many employers add a practical component where you brief or debrief a short scenario so they can assess your instructional style and cue management. Defense-sector roles may also require a security clearance verification step before a final offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to simulator instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to simulator instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. The listings cover roles in aviation, defense, medical simulation, and commercial training. Find roles that match your platform experience and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 11 Simulator Instructor Jobs
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