Flight Operations Supervisor

Job Location and Salary

This position is based in San Luis Obispo, CA, with an anticipated annual salary ranging from $101,600 to $147,900. Actual pay will depend on candidate qualifications, experience, location, and company alignment.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Flight Operations Supervisor to lead daily flight test operations. Responsibilities include supervising UAS test pilots and technical staff, ensuring safe and compliant flight activities, and providing operational leadership across prototype and production UAS platforms. This position involves mission planning, flight testing, troubleshooting, documentation, safety management, and coordination with engineering, quality, manufacturing, and program teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise UAS test pilots, operators, technicians, and flight operations staff daily.
• Prioritize and manage execution of flight test missions for both prototype and production UAVs.
• Ensure all flight operations comply with FAA regulations, company policies, safety protocols, and approved test plans.
• Serve as Pilot-in-Command, Mission Commander, or operational lead as needed.
• Make immediate go/no-go decisions based on aircraft status, environmental factors, personnel readiness, and mission goals.
• Oversee pre-flight inspections, mission planning, airspace coordination, post-flight debriefs, and operational closure.
• Manage multiple flight test schedules, adjusting priorities according to business demands, engineering inputs, production deadlines, and safety factors.
• Support travel-based operations, demonstrations, customer events, and remote testing when required.
• Lead mentoring, coaching, and development of UAS pilots, operators, and support personnel.
• Assign daily tasks, monitor performance, and ensure accountability for operations deliverables.
• Support onboarding, training, flight qualification tracking, and skills development.
• Provide employee feedback and contribute to performance reviews and development plans alongside HR and management.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork.
• Identify and address staffing, training, equipment, and process needs for operational readiness.
• Oversee engineering flight tests evaluating aircraft performance, stability, system integration, and mission capability.
• Ensure test objectives, procedures, instrumentation, risk management, and success criteria are clearly defined in advance.
• Review flight data and operational outcomes to aid engineering analysis and product enhancements.
• Offer actionable technical feedback to engineering, quality, and manufacturing groups based on flight results.
• Ensure detailed documentation, including test reports, performance evaluations, and discrepancy records, is completed accurately and punctually.
• Support equipment testing, troubleshoot systems, coordinate maintenance, and assess operational readiness.
• Lead pre-mission risk assessments, safety briefings, and operational reviews.
• Ensure compliance with FAA rules, internal SOPs, safety standards, and company policies among all personnel.
• Detect, document, communicate, and help resolve operational hazards, safety issues, and process gaps.
• Guarantee aircraft, ground equipment, and mission systems meet quality and readiness standards prior to use.
• Participate in incident investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and lessons learned activities.
• Stay knowledgeable about evolving UAS technologies, airspace regulations, industry best practices, and risk management techniques.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing, production, program management, and leadership to align flight operations with organizational goals.
• Translate engineering and production test goals into executable flight plans and operational tasks.
• Communicate flight status, operational risks, aircraft readiness, personnel constraints, and test outcomes to stakeholders.
• Support demonstrations, customer events, equipment evaluations, and critical flight operations as necessary.
• Collaborate with leadership to improve operational processes, documentation standards, training programs, and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Previous military aviation, UAS, test, or operational flight experience.
• Possession of FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Proven leadership in flight operations, UAS, aviation maintenance, test environments, manufacturing, or technical roles.
• In-depth knowledge of UAS technology, FAA regulations, airspace rules, and safety practices.
• Experience with flight testing, demonstrations, equipment evaluation, or technical troubleshooting of UAS.
• Strong decision-making ability under pressure and dynamic conditions.
• Excellent communication skills for briefing teams, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Attention to detail ensuring full compliance with operational and safety protocols.
• Effective problem-solving skills related to flight operations and equipment.
• Capacity to work independently and in cooperative team settings involving engineering and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Physical ability to lift boxes and equipment regularly.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% for business requirements.

Preferred Experience

• FAA pilot-rated certification.
• More than 7 years in related UAS, aviation, flight test, military, manufacturing, or technical operations.
• At least 2 years in supervisory, leadership, evaluator, or mission command roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in aviation, engineering, unmanned systems, aerospace, operations management, or similar fields.
• Certified Flight Instructor credentials.
• Experience managing flight test teams, UAS pilots, operators, or maintenance staff.
• Familiarity with prototype and production aircraft development and customer demo support.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, corrective actions, quality systems, and production test environments.
• Understanding of ITAR and EAR regulatory environments.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching program
• Paid time off and holidays
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance plans
• Group short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) options
• Critical and accident care insurance plans
• Employee stock purchase program

Compliance and Work Environment

This role may require access to data regulated by ITAR and EAR; applicants must verify U.S. person status for compliance. Work includes both standard office and production area settings, involving computer use, walking, climbing, stooping, and lifting up to 30 pounds. Personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, shoes, and shop coats may be necessary. Travel by air or ground vehicle is expected.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity organization. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request. Employment is on an at-will basis.