Flight Operations Standards, Training and Evaluations Manager

Description

WORK LOCATION:

Huntsville, AL

FLSA STATUS:
Exempt

SALARY RANGE:
The anticipated salary range for this role is $120,000 to $170,000 annually. This range reflects a good faith estimate based on the targeted level for the role and typical compensation benchmarks across U.S. locations. Actual compensation may vary depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, geographical location, and internal alignment.

The Flight Operations Standards, Training & Evaluations Manager is responsible for building, maintaining, and implementing Flight Standards and Evaluations program. This role oversees the development and execution of operational standards, training curricula, and evaluation processes to ensure safe, compliant, and mission-ready small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) flight and ground operations.

This position works closely with the Sr. Director of Flight and Support Operations, engineering, manufacturing, and other stakeholders to ensure operational procedures, training materials, and evaluations accurately reflect current product capabilities, regulatory requirements, and best practices. The Manager ensures operator proficiency across all aspects of sUAS operations while fostering a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive operational standards, procedures, and best practices for sUAS flight and ground operations.
• Ensure alignment of operational procedures with FAA and DoD regulations (e.g., Part 107, BVLOS, waivers) and company policies.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with FAA and DoD regulations, industry standards, and internal safety requirements.
• Maintain and update operations manuals, training materials, and evaluation documentation to reflect regulatory changes, technological advancements, and operational feedback.
• Design, develop, and deliver initial and recurrent training programs for new and experienced operators, emphasizing both manual and automated flight operations.
• Incorporate risk management, emergency procedures, payload integration, and data collection methodologies into training curricula.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to deliver training on emerging technologies and advanced operational concepts.
• Manage and oversee pilot, instructor, and ground crew certification, qualification, and currency programs.
• Conduct flight evaluations, performance assessments, and recurrent training to ensure technical proficiency and mission readiness.
• Develop and administer evaluation criteria for safety compliance, technical proficiency, and mission readiness.
• Ensure all flight and ground operations adhere to established safety procedures and risk mitigation protocols.
• Capture, analyze, and document operational data for after-action reports and lessons learned.
• Provide operator feedback to engineering teams to support system design improvements and capability enhancements.
• Lead, train, and mentor operators and instructors, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to integrate advanced technologies and best practices into flight operations.
• Support customer-facing engagements, including presentations and operational or technical briefings.
• Ability to travel as required.

• Experience developing compliance documentation, operations manuals, and internal training programs.
• 5–10 years of experience delivering customer-facing presentations and technical or programmatic updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Significant experience working with DoD customers, with strong understanding of operational environments and potential tactical applications.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast‑paced environment with minimal structure or direction.
• Must be able to obtain a Secret clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in…