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Director Flight Operations Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

... the Director of Operations. * Assign pilot duties and monitor scheduling to ensure compliance with duty and rest requirements. * Maintain high standards of safety and efficiency in all flight ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

... direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ... Daily work blends flight operations, simulator events, mission planning, debriefs, and maintenance ...

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Director Flight Operations information

See Austin, TX salary details

$33.7K

$106.7K

$177.9K

How much do director flight operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director flight operations in Austin, TX is $106,734.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,800.00 and $134,300.00 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?

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 Austin, TX? The most popular types of Flight Operations jobs in Austin, TX are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Flight Operations jobs in Austin, TX? For Director Flight Operations jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Flight Operations jobs in Austin, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Director Flight Operations jobs in Austin, TX are:
What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Director Flight Operations jobs? Cities near Austin, TX with the most Director Flight Operations job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Flight Operations job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,734 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Firefly Aerospace rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

As the Flight Dynamics Manager at Firefly Aerospace, you will lead a technical team supporting mission design, orbit determination, and maneuver planning for operational spacecraft across LEO and cislunar space. In this role, you will own all aspects of team leadership including recruitment, career development, and performance management while driving strategic planning, budget management, and operational execution. This position combines technical expertise in spacecraft flight dynamics with people leadership, requiring you to build team capabilities, foster a high-performing culture, and deliver mission-critical support in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead a flight dynamics team supporting multiple spacecraft programs and development efforts
  • Own all aspects of team staffing including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning
  • Conduct performance evaluations and drive career development through mentorship and coaching of engineers at all levels
  • Set flight dynamics objectives and communicate priorities to team members and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Develop and manage the flight dynamics budget and annual operating plan
  • Direct daily operations of the team ensuring timely delivery of mission-critical software development, analysis, and operational support
  • Interface with program managers and mission stakeholders to allocate team responsibilities and establish execution schedules
  • Drive flight dynamics strategy and roadmap development, identifying capability gaps and investment priorities
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives for flight dynamics processes, tools, and operational efficiency
  • Foster a healthy team culture and maintain high morale in a demanding technical and operational environment

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in spacecraft flight dynamics with demonstrated expertise across mission design, orbit determination, and maneuver planning
  • 5+ years of technical team leadership experience including direct management of engineers and technical staff
  • Demonstrated experience supporting operational spacecraft missions through multiple mission phases
  • Proven ability to recruit, hire, develop, and retain high-performing technical talent
  • Demonstrated success building team capabilities through mentorship, training, and career development
  • Experience managing team budgets, resource planning, and workforce forecasting
  • Experience establishing technical standards, processes, and best practices for flight dynamics organizations
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to convey complex technical concepts to executives, customers, and non-technical stakeholders
  • Ability to foster a collaborative team culture while meeting demanding mission schedules

Desired

  • Advanced degree (master's or PhD) in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field
  • Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and their impact on trajectory design and orbit determination
  • Experience with Python and Linux
  • Proficiency with one or more commercial flight dynamics software tools (STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, ODTK, or similar)
  • Experience developing strategic vision, technical roadmaps, and upgrade initiatives for flight dynamics teams
  • Experience leading or supporting anomaly investigations and resolving critical mission issues

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status


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