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Director Flight Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

LTA Research

Flight Test Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$85K - $140K/yr

Direct flight test operations either onboard an airship or from the telemetry room. * Perform post-flight data analysis as required. * Prepare flight test reports and communicate non-conformance ...

CYNET SYSTEMS

Aircraft Operations Coordinator

Chino, CA · On-site

$40 - $45/hr

Schedule, monitor, and oversee all flight operations for aircraft. * Act as the department's main ... Perform other duties as required or directed in support of Aircraft Operations. Nice to Have:

General Atomics

Engineer III

Palmdale, CA · On-site

Perform the duties of Test Director for a multi-disciplinary test team when required. * Represents Flight Operations in a technical advisor capacity as needs dictate. * Maintains the strict ...

General Atomics

Engineer III

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Perform the duties of Test Director for a multi-disciplinary test team when required. * Represents Flight Operations in a technical advisor capacity as needs dictate. * Maintains the strict ...

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All JobsFlight Operations JobsDirector Flight Operations JobsDirector Flight Operations Jobs in California

Director Flight Operations information

See California salary details

$33.6K

$106.3K

$177.2K

How much do director flight operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director flight operations in California is $106,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $133,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Director Flight Operations position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Flight Operations, you need deep knowledge of aviation regulations, flight planning, safety management systems, and significant leadership experience, often supported by a commercial pilot's license or equivalent operational background. Familiarity with airline management software, flight scheduling tools, and compliance documentation systems is essential. Outstanding organizational, communication, and crisis management skills are crucial for coordinating teams and maintaining operational efficiency. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of flight activities in a highly regulated environment.

What is a Director Flight Operations job?

A Director of Flight Operations is responsible for overseeing an airline or aviation company's flight operations, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, operational efficiency, and company policies. They manage pilot scheduling, flight planning, and coordination with regulatory authorities like the FAA or EASA. Additionally, they work closely with maintenance, safety, and dispatch teams to ensure smooth flight operations. Their role is critical in maintaining high safety standards, optimizing costs, and ensuring on-time performance.

What are some typical challenges a Director Flight Operations faces in their day-to-day work?

Directors of Flight Operations often navigate complex logistical challenges, such as adapting flight schedules due to weather disruptions, maintenance issues, or crew availability. They must also ensure ongoing compliance with evolving aviation regulations while maintaining optimal safety and efficiency standards. Successfully leading a diverse team of pilots, dispatchers, and ground support staff requires balancing operational demands with strategic planning. Overcoming these challenges involves strong decision-making skills, effective communication, and the ability to respond quickly under pressure, making the role both dynamic and rewarding.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Flight Operations jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Flight Operations jobs in California? For Director Flight Operations jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Flight Operations jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Director Flight Operations jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Director Flight Operations jobs? Cities in California with the most Director Flight Operations job openings:
Director Flight Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Flight Operations job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,270 per year, or $51.1 per hour.
Director, Flight Dynamics, Guidance & Control

Director, Flight Dynamics, Guidance & Control

Terran Orbital Corporation

Irvine, CA

Other

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Director, Flight Dynamics, Guidance & Control to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the VP, Space & Mission Systems, the Director, Flight Dynamics, Guidance & Control will be join a collaborative team developing innovative small satellite vehicle solutions for multiple projects.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor a team of GNC engineers, ensuring they have clear objectives, adequate resources, and support to meet project milestones
  • Lead the design, development, and integration of GNC systems, ensuring they meet the required specifications and standards
  • Plan and manage GNC projects, including supporting schedule, budget, and resource allocation in partnership with peer organizations and project management
  • Lead troubleshooting of efforts related to GNC systems, applying advanced problem-solving and technical expertise
  • Coordinate with other departments, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure alignment on GNC projects and initiatives
  • Lead continuous improvement efforts, driving efficiencies and innovation in GNC development and maintenance
  • Provide technical inputs and support for proposal efforts
  • Support mission operations and anomaly resolution
  • Prepare and present formal and informal reports and status to upper management on a weekly basis
  • Provide inputs and evaluation of documentation for program milestone reviews Provide technical mentorship and peer review for coworkers

Qualifications and Skills

  • Master's Degree in an engineering field with a concentration in dynamics and control
  • Minimum of 15 years of Guidance, Navigation & Control technical experience, primarily within the space industry
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience leading and/or managing engineers
  • Demonstrated GNC engineering and software development using MATLAB and Simulink
  • Strong fundamental understanding of orbital dynamics and classical mechanics
  • Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties autonomously without supervision
  • Strong writing, presentation, and oral communication skills
  • Passion for the new space industry
  • U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Additional Differentiators

  • Ph.D. in Dynamics and controls is highly desired
  • Experience with the design of spacecraft flexible body control, Kalman Filtering, jitter analysis, rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), fault detection, isolation, recovery protocols.
  • Flight dynamics, Monte, navigation, orbit determination and mission operations for GEO and deep space
  • Experience with autonomy for satellite, constellation management, orbit insertion, station-keeping, and collision avoidance
  • Low and high thrust trajectory design and optimization
  • Hands-on experience with small satellites, robotic systems, or similar
  • Optical Communication Terminals (OCT)
  • Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (APNT)
  • C++ and Python experience

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