Aviation Regulatory Affairs Manager
On-siteEl Segundo, California, United States
Job Summary
Lead end-to-end drafting and shepherding of FAA authorizations, Certificates of Authorization, Letters of Agreement, and regulatory exemptions while developing Concept of Operations and Safety Risk Management documentation. Engage directly with FAA Flight Standards Service, UAS Integration Office, and FCC examiners for pre-submission consultation, response to RFIs, and license renewals. Own manufacturer-side regulatory posture including airworthiness documentation, Declaration of Compliance preparation under Part 108, and engagement with ASTM and RTCA standards. Track FAA rulemaking, submit comments to standards bodies, and brief leadership on regulatory implications for design decisions and certification pathways. Requires demonstrated experience preparing FAA submissions for UAS operations, strong aviation background, and willingness to travel for agency meetings and test site events.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience preparing and shepherding FAA submissions for UAS operations through to issuance — flight authorizations, COAs, LOAs, regulatory exemptions, or equivalent
- Strong aviation background: former FAA personnel, military aviation officer, Part 121/135/137 chief pilot or director of operations, UAS program manager at a regulated operator, or aviation safety/SMS specialist
- Strong technical writing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate technical and operational realities into clear, persuasive regulatory submissions
- Working knowledge of Concept of Operations (CONOPs) development, Safety Risk Management (SRM) frameworks, and operational risk assessment methodologies aligned to FAA acceptance criteria
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to credibly engage FAA inspectors, FCC examiners, and external counsel
- Self-directed and comfortable operating with minimal guidance in a novel regulatory environment
- Willingness to travel for agency meetings, test site events, and on-site operational coordination as required
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (aviation, aerospace engineering, aviation management, atmospheric science, or related discipline)
Desired Qualifications
- Former FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, UAS Integration Office staff, or other direct FAA service
- Direct experience drafting and winning BVLOS authorizations, including operating concepts that incorporate ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA)
- Manufacturer-side regulatory experience: airworthiness documentation, type design, ASTM/RTCA standards engagement (F3442, F3705, DO-365, DO-381), or Declaration of Compliance work
- Familiarity with the Part 108 NPRM and emerging airworthiness frameworks for UAS production
- Familiarity with AS9100 and federal contracting prerequisites for UAS (American Security Drone Act, FAR 52.240-1, DoD Blue UAS Cleared List)
- Engineering or aviation safety background sufficient to engage technically with Engineering and Flight Operations on operating concept design and spectrum architecture
- Advanced degree or aviation law background a plus
- Existing relationships within the FAA UAS Integration Office, Flight Standards Service, or applicable FSDOs
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