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Aviation Operations Manager information

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$29.1K

$59.6K

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How much do aviation operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for aviation operations manager in Iowa is $59,602.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $72,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aviation operations manager?

To thrive as an Aviation Operations Manager, you need expertise in aviation regulations, operational management, and safety protocols, along with a relevant bachelor's degree and often an FAA certification. Familiarity with airline management software, flight scheduling systems, and compliance databases is crucial. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and compliant operations in a highly regulated and complex aviation environment.

What are the most common challenges aviation operations managers face when coordinating between different airport departments?

Aviation Operations Managers often encounter challenges related to synchronizing activities between departments such as ground services, air traffic control, security, and maintenance. Ensuring clear communication, timely updates, and efficient problem-solving is crucial to avoid delays or safety issues. Managers must proactively address conflicting priorities and rapidly changing operational demands, all while maintaining compliance with strict aviation regulations. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational skills and the ability to foster collaboration across diverse teams.

What is an aviation operations manager?

Aviation Operations Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing and coordinating the daily operations of airports, airlines, or other aviation-related facilities. They ensure that all activities related to flight operations, ground support, safety, and regulatory compliance run smoothly and efficiently. Their duties often include managing staff, coordinating with air traffic control, implementing safety protocols, and handling logistical challenges. Aviation Operations Managers play a crucial role in maintaining safe, efficient, and cost-effective aviation operations.

How much does an aviation operations manager make?

An aviation operations manager typically earns a median annual salary between $70,000 and $120,000, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization. They oversee daily airport or airline operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency, often requiring certifications such as an FAA license or equivalent.

What does an aviation operations manager do?

An aviation operations manager oversees daily activities related to aircraft operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. They coordinate with pilots, ground staff, and regulatory agencies, often using management software and maintaining certifications to meet industry standards.

What are popular job titles related to Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Iowa?

For Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Aviation Operations Manager jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Aviation Operations Manager job openings:

Aviation Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Aviation Operations Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,602 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Program Manager - Airport Screening Operations

Leidos

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 491 rated business services

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Task Order Program Manager (TO PM) to serve as the on-site screening operations lead for a designated airport under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Gold+ program - a model in which participating airports transition from federally operated screening to qualified private-sector screening performed under TSA regulation, oversight, and detection standards pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44920. In operational scope, the TO PM directs passenger checkpoint screening operations and checked baggage screening operations, leads the contracted screening workforce, and is accountable for screening performance to TSA detection standards, throughput and wait-time results, passenger experience, and the company's own regulatory compliance. Checkpoint and checked baggage are both fully in scope; checked baggage operations are scaled to each airport and are considerably smaller at many locations.
Primary Responsibilities:
Screening Operations & Security Effectiveness
• Direct daily passenger checkpoint and checked baggage screening in accordance with TSA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and detection standards, meeting or exceeding the federal level of screening required under 49 U.S.C. 44920.
• Sustain workforce screening proficiency
• Manage throughput and passenger wait times across TSA PreCheck and standard lanes and across checked baggage inspection and resolution; adjust security posture to the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) and to irregular operations (IROPS).
• Screen persons and property, confirm or resolve alarmed persons or property, verify travel documents, and support TSA-directed special screening programs as tasked at the airport level.
Workforce Management, Training & Certification
• Lead the contracted screening workforce - Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), Lead TSOs (LTSOs), Supervisory TSOs (STSOs), and site training staff; manage recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, surge staffing, overtime, and fitness-for-duty.
• Deliver initial, recurrent, and remedial training and certify the workforce to TSA-set standards that TSA audits, consistent with 49 U.S.C. 44935 and the training and certification standards incorporated by the contract.
• Ensure the workforce completes Security Threat Assessment (STA) and suitability submissions (TSA adjudicates) and obtains and maintains Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) credentials issued by the airport operator's badging office.
• Support TSA's aviation insider threat program and reporting requirements for the contracted workforce, and foster a culture of security, professionalism, and customer service.
Technology & Equipment Oversight (TSE)
• Oversee delivery, installation, integration, operational test-and-checkout, and sustainment of checkpoint TSE and checked baggage Explosives Detection Systems (EDS), using the Checkpoint Requirements and Planning Guide (CRPG) and the Planning Guidelines and Design Standards (PGDS) for Checked Baggage Inspection Systems as references.
• Maintain equipment availability through preventive and corrective maintenance, calibration, cybersecurity updates, radiation surveys, and radioactive leak tests to TSA-set standards, including operating and maintaining TSA-owned equipment already installed at the airport.
• Conduct contractor site acceptance and operational test-and-checkout, property and asset accountability, and technology-refresh planning; only TSA-qualified equipment may be deployed, and TSA retains qualification, certification, and acceptance of detection capability.
Program, Compliance & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the primary contractor point of contact with the FSD, AFSD-S, Contracting Officer (CO), and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and coordinate with the airport operator, air carriers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and airport law enforcement.
• Develop and maintain the airport-level Operations Management Plan (OMP) and manage Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) performance and Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA)-based workforce compensation.
• Ensure compliance with TSA SOPs and directives, Sensitive Security Information (SSI) handling, and cybersecurity requirements; maintain readiness for the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and TSA inspections and drive corrective actions.
• Produce required deliverables (Contract Status Reports, Performance/Compliance Metrics Reports, Maintenance Reports, Incident Logs); lead incident management and Continuity of Operations (COOP); and lead transition-in and transition-out, including Government-Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI) transfer and the right of first refusal for the incumbent screening workforce.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: aviation security, airport operations, personnel security screening services, equipment/technology management, or contract management.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a favorable TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA) and TSA Suitability Determination prior to starting work.
  • Eligibility for access to Sensitive Security Information (SSI); ability to be vetted for access up to the SECRET level if required by the task order.
  • U.S. Citizenship required to support TSA suitability and vetting processes.
  • Availability for emergency response twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
  • At least seven years of general management experience or three years as a certified STSO or higher position; and
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in an effective, efficient, and professional manner.
  • Anyone of the following;
  • Formal certification in program/project management issued by the Federal Government (such as FAC-PM, DAWIA, or U.S. DHS) or certification issued by a non-government organization like the PMP® credential issued by the Project Management Institute; or
  • At least five years of management experience in aviation security, airport operations, or personnel security services, demonstrated experience in supervising personnel in a Federal Government environment is highly desired.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior experience on TSA or DHS programs, including familiarity with TSA Standard Operating Procedures, the Checkpoint Requirements and Planning Guide (CRPG), or the Screening Partnership Program (SPP).
  • Information Technology background, including familiarity with Authority to Operate (ATO)/Authority to Connect (ATC) processes.
  • Experience managing large, hourly/shift-based workforces in an airport, aviation, or physical security environment.
  • PMP certification or equivalent project/program management credential.
  • 5+ years of program/operations management experience, including 3+ years managing federal programs of similar size and complexity, is a plus and positions candidates for advancement toward the corporate Operations/Program Manager (IDIQ Key Personnel) role.

Working Conditions:
  • Primary work location is on-site at the assigned Gold+ airport checkpoint/administrative facility.
  • Screening operations run from up to two hours before the first flight through the last flight's departure; role may require availability outside standard business hours and response within one hour to urgent operational, safety, or security issues.
  • Domestic travel required for corporate program reviews, TSA meetings, and multi-site coordination as applicable.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 3, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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