Director of Flight Operations

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems, Communications and Information Technology, and Performance Management.

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL’s 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio— the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory’s history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL’s assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer stewards directorate-wide performance management and provides the primary interface with other directorates ctions include directorate operations management, performance assurance and reporting, chief engineer, building code official, readiness, and document management.

Role Summary

• Reports to Aviation Operations Manager; promotes and supports the highest standards of safety for aviation and aviation-based research operations.
• Oversees manned and unmanned platforms and science missions; provides oversight of pilots, ground crew, and operations support; leads mission/logistics planning for worldwide deployments. Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
• Supports Challenger 850 modification/delivery as a science platform.

Core Responsibilities

• Operational control: ensure safe, efficient, and legally compliant flight operations; oversee PNNL and contractor pilots/dispatchers/crew while maintaining regulatory standards.
• Training and standardization: develop a comprehensive pilot training syllabus meeting FAA standards and science-mission standards (including sustained profiles and low-altitude operations); oversee initial/recurrent/upgrade pilot training, certification, and qualification programs.
• Science-profile procedures: develop/revise crew coordination procedures for science-specific profiles.
• SMS and safety: implement Safety Management System (SMS) to manage operational risk; serve as (and be qualified as) an Aviation Safety Officer.
• Manuals and daily execution: review/update/enforce the General Operations Manual (GOM); manage daily flight schedules, crew assignments, and dispatch operations; manage disruptions due to weather, mechanical issues, or ATC.
• External interface and business operations: act as liaison to FAA/NTSB/airport authorities as assigned; develop/manage annual flight operations budget; negotiate vendor contracts (fuel, ground handling, flight planning software) with Procurement; define hiring standards for flight crews.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9 years of relevant experience
  -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 7 years of relevant experience
• Flight experience: 2,500+ hours PIC (airplanes), including 1,000+ hours PIC in turbine multiengine land; 300+ PIC hours in turbine multiengine land conducting…