Director of Flight Operations

A leading aerospace company developing the aero planes of tomorrow, is now aiming to identify an experienced engineering leader to head up the Flight Software Integration team. This role is responsible for the strategy, execution, and certification readiness of safety-critical software systems spanning avionics, power systems, propulsion, and actuation.

• Lead and scale a multidisciplinary team responsible for software integration, validation, testing infrastructure, and operational excellence
• Define and execute the integration roadmap across the full aircraft development lifecycle
• Partner with systems engineering, verification, flight test, and hardware teams to ensure aligned, certifiable solutions
• Establish lab, simulation, and aircraft-level test environments to validate complex real-time embedded systems
• Drive system-level root cause analysis and resolution across software, hardware, and supplier interfaces
• Oversee production, ground test, and flight test software operations
• Develop and mature processes supporting safety, quality, and regulatory compliance
• Lead program planning, resource allocation, risk management, and executive reporting
• Interface with regulatory authorities and external partners on technical and certification matters

• 12+ years of experience in complex, safety-critical embedded systems; 5+ years in technical leadership
• Strong background in aerospace, automotive, or other highly regulated industries
• Deep experience in software/hardware integration, verification & validation, and real-time systems
• Proficiency in C, MATLAB/Simulink, Python or similar tools
• Knowledge of avionics and embedded communication protocols (e.g., CAN, ARINC, Ethernet)
• Experience supporting certification frameworks such as DO-178C or equivalent safety standards preferred
• Proven ability to build teams, processes, and scalable engineering organizations