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Director Flight Simulation Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Director Flight Simulation information

What does a director flight simulation do?

A Director of Flight Simulation oversees the development, implementation, and management of flight simulation programs within an airline, training center, or aviation organization. They are responsible for ensuring that simulators meet regulatory standards, managing simulator maintenance and upgrades, and coordinating training schedules for pilots and crew. This role often involves leadership of technical teams, budgeting for simulation resources, and staying updated with the latest advancements in simulation technology. They play a critical role in ensuring flight crews are thoroughly trained and prepared for real-world scenarios.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director flight simulation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Flight Simulation, you need expertise in aviation training, simulation technology, and leadership, often supported by an advanced degree in aviation or engineering and significant experience in flight operations or simulator management. Familiarity with flight simulator hardware/software, regulatory compliance systems (such as FAA/EASA standards), and project management tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help ensure effective coordination among teams and stakeholders. These qualifications are crucial for delivering high-quality, compliant training programs and maintaining operational excellence within aviation organizations.

What are some typical challenges faced by a director flight simulation, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Flight Simulation often faces challenges such as keeping simulation technology up to date, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing a diverse team of instructors, engineers, and support staff. Balancing the needs of pilots in training with operational constraints, such as simulator availability and maintenance downtime, is also common. These challenges can be addressed by fostering strong communication with stakeholders, staying informed about technological advancements, and implementing structured processes for scheduling and maintenance. Additionally, ongoing professional development and collaboration with aviation authorities help maintain high training standards.

What is the difference between Director Flight Simulation vs Flight Simulator Technician?

AspectDirector Flight SimulationFlight Simulator Technician
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in aviation, engineering, or related field; industry certificationsTechnical diploma or associate degree; specialized certifications
Work EnvironmentManagement of simulation programs, overseeing teams, strategic planningHands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of flight simulators
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, military, simulation centers, training organizationsSimulation centers, maintenance providers, aviation training facilities

The main difference is that the Director Flight Simulation oversees the entire simulation program and manages teams, while the Flight Simulator Technician focuses on the technical maintenance and repair of simulators. Both roles are essential in aviation training but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

Senior Director, Flight Operations (V-BAT) (R5797)

Shield AI

Dallas, TX

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Shield AI is seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director of Flight Operations to lead the execution and employment of V-BAT globally. This role provides leadership for Flight Test, Deployed Operations, Mission Control, and Training, ensuring aircraft, personnel, and operational resources are employed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with enterprise priorities.

As the senior operational leader for aircraft employment, you will oversee the planning, execution, and governance of all flight activities supporting product testing, customer operations, training, demonstrations, and operational growth. You will balance competing demands across developmental testing, deployed operations, customer commitments, and strategic initiatives while maintaining the highest standards of safety, readiness, and operational excellence.

The Senior Director will establish operational strategy, standardize execution across globally distributed teams, and develop scalable operational capabilities that support Shield AI's continued growth. This role partners closely with Engineering, Aviation Sustainment, Program Management, Business Development, and executive leadership to ensure operational execution aligns with technology development, customer success, and enterprise objectives.

What You'll Do:

Enterprise Flight Operations Leadership 

  • Lead and scale the Flight Operations organization consisting of Directors, Senior Managers, Managers, Supervisors, and technical professionals across Flight Test, Deployed Operations, Mission Control, and Training.  

  • Establish enterprise governance, decision frameworks, and operating standards for all V-BAT operations across the Aircraft Division.  

  • Develop organizational strategies that enable safe, scalable, and efficient V-BAT flight operations worldwide. 

  • Foster a culture of operational excellence, disciplined execution, accountability, and continuous improvement.  

Flight Operations & Mission Execution 

  • Oversee the execution of developmental V-BAT flight testing, contractor-owned/contractor-operated missions, customer demonstrations, deployed operations, and internal and customer training events. 

  • Ensure operational activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with regulatory, contractual, and company requirements.  

  • Establish operational readiness standards for aircraft, personnel, support equipment, and operational sites.  

  • Provide oversight of operational risk management, flight scheduling, and mission execution across all operational organizations.  

Mission Control & Fleet Employment 

  • Provide executive oversight of Mission Control, ensuring enterprise aircraft allocation, configuration posture, and mission prioritization support strategic business objectives.  

  • Balance competing operational demands across flight test, customer operations, training, demonstrations, and internal flight operations activities.  

  • Ensure V-BAT employment decisions appropriately consider customer commitments, revenue recognition, technology roadmap priorities, operational readiness, and long-term fleet health.  

  • Review and adjudicate high-impact operational conflicts requiring executive prioritization.  

Training & Operational Readiness 

  • Lead internal and customer training organizations responsible for developing qualified operators, maintainers, and instructors.  

  • Ensure training programs, curricula, simulators, and qualification standards evolve with product capabilities and operational requirements.  

  • Supervise operational qualification, currency, standardization, and evaluation programs across all Flight Operations personnel.  

  • Oversee Standardization & Evaluation leadership to ensure procedures, technical publications, and training products remain synchronized with operational execution.  

Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Integration 

  • Partner with Engineering to mature next-generation aircraft capabilities, operational concepts, and flight test strategies.  

  • Validate software and hardware updates for customer readiness. 

  • Collaborate with Aviation Sustainment to align fleet availability, maintenance capacity, logistics readiness, and customer support with operational demand.  

  • Support Business Development through customer demonstrations, operational evaluations, strategic capture efforts, and international engagements.  

  • Represent Flight Operations during executive planning, customer engagements, operational reviews, and strategic decision-making forums.  

Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement 

  • Establish operational performance metrics including mission success, fleet utilization, aircraft availability, training throughput, schedule adherence, and operational safety.  

  • Ensure operational lessons learned are captured, analyzed, and incorporated into procedures, training, engineering improvements, and organizational processes.  

  • Develop scalable operational capabilities that support future V-BAT programs, international expansion, and enterprise growth.  

  • Champion a culture of learning, innovation, and disciplined execution across all Flight Operations organizations.  

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Aerospace Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Military Science, or a related field.  

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in military aviation, commercial aerospace, defense, or advanced aviation operations.  

  • Demonstrated experience leading large multidisciplinary aviation organizations consisting of multiple operational functions and senior leaders.  

  • Strong understanding of aircraft operations, operational risk management, mission planning, aviation safety, and operational governance.  

  • Demonstrated ability to balance competing enterprise priorities involving customer commitments, engineering schedules, operational readiness, and business objectives.  

  • Experience developing operational strategy, organizational governance, and scalable operational processes.  

  • Exceptional leadership, organizational development, communication, and executive decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Aviation Management, Engineering Management, or related discipline.  

  • Former military aviation leader (Operations Group Commander, Squadron Commander, or equivalent senior aviation leadership position).  

  • Proven success managing complex flight operations involving developmental testing, deployed operations, operational training, or globally distributed aviation organizations. 

  • Experience leading developmental flight test, operational test, or advanced autonomous aircraft programs.  

  • Familiarity with FAA, DoD, DCMA, and international aviation regulatory frameworks.  

  • Experience leading globally distributed aviation operations supporting government and international customers.  

  • FAA Commercial Pilot, ATP, Military Aviator, or equivalent aviation qualifications. 

  • Experience integrating enterprise fleet management, operational planning, and resource prioritization across multiple product lines.  

  • Experience supporting rapid organizational growth and scaling operational organizations in aerospace or defense industries. 

$195,000 - $295,000 a year
#LG
#LI-KK1

Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
 
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
 
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
 
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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