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Flight Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Flight Director to support the DHS Customs & Border Protection Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages ...

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Flight Director to support the DHS Customs & Border Protection Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages ...

Flight Director

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

As a Flight Director, you will both lead and actively participate in the day-to-day operations of our spacecraft constellation. You'll be hands-on with commanding, monitoring, and troubleshooting ...

Flight Director

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $175K/yr

As a Flight Director, you will both lead and actively participate in the day-to-day operations of our spacecraft constellation. You'll be hands-on with commanding, monitoring, and troubleshooting ...

As a Flight Director, you will both lead and actively participate in the day-to-day operations of our spacecraft constellation. You'll be hands-on with commanding, monitoring, and troubleshooting ...

Team responsibilities include Autopilot, Yaw Damper, Flight Director, Thrust Management System, and Stall Warning/Envelope protection. Position responsibilities include systems and software ...

Flight Controller/Instructor

Austin, TX · On-site

$90K - $250K/yr

Experience as a NASA Flight Controller, Flight Director, or certified flight operations instructor. * Familiarity with commercial launch systems, orbital platforms, or commercial crew/cargo programs.

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How much do flight director jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight director in the United States is $31.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $41.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Flight Director, you need strong leadership abilities, extensive knowledge of aerospace operations, and typically a background in engineering, science, or aviation. Familiarity with mission control systems, real-time telemetry software, and certifications such as NASA flight director training are vital. Outstanding decision-making skills, crisis management, and the ability to communicate clearly under pressure set top candidates apart. Mastery of these skills ensures safe, effective mission execution and smooth coordination among cross-disciplinary teams in high-stakes environments.

What does a flight director do?

A flight director is responsible for overseeing and managing the planning, execution, and safety of space missions or aircraft operations. They coordinate teams, monitor systems, and make real-time decisions to ensure mission success, often using specialized tools and adhering to strict protocols. Strong leadership, communication skills, and relevant certifications are essential in this role.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Flight Director?

A Flight Director is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of mission operations from the control center, ensuring the safety and success of each flight or mission. Daily tasks include leading a team of flight controllers, monitoring mission progress in real time, assessing and responding to anomalies, and making critical decisions under pressure. They also facilitate pre-mission planning, conduct simulations and briefings, and communicate with crew members, engineers, and external partners. This role involves high accountability and requires constant collaboration to integrate input from various technical specialists.

How much does an airplane director make?

A Flight Director's salary typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, airline, and location. They oversee flight operations, coordinate crew, and ensure safety protocols are followed, often working irregular hours and requiring certifications such as an Airline Transport Pilot license or equivalent.

What is a Flight Director job?

A Flight Director is responsible for overseeing and managing spaceflight operations, ensuring mission success and crew safety. They lead a team of specialists in Mission Control, making critical decisions during launches, spaceflight, and landings. Flight Directors coordinate with astronauts, engineers, and other mission personnel to address technical issues and adapt to real-time challenges. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and in-depth knowledge of spacecraft systems and mission protocols.

How much money do flight directors make?

Flight directors typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, employer, and industry. They often work in aerospace, space agencies, or aviation companies and require strong leadership, decision-making skills, and relevant certifications.

How do you become a flight director?

To become a flight director, candidates typically need a background in aerospace engineering, aviation, or related fields, along with extensive experience in flight operations or mission control. Certification from relevant agencies and strong leadership, decision-making skills, and familiarity with mission planning tools are also important. Many flight directors gain experience through roles such as pilots, engineers, or mission specialists before advancing to this position.
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Infographic showing various Flight Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,439 per year, or $31.9 per hour.
Flight Director

Other

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US's dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Flight Director to support the DHS Customs & Border Protection Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program. The TARS program leverages aerostat systems to provide persistent surveillance and detection capabilities, to the U.S. Government customer across eight (8) different operational sites along the US Southern border in multiple locations including Puerto Rico, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

The successful candidate will have experience managing aerostat flight operations on platforms similar in size to the TARS aerostats.  You will be the single point of contact on your assigned shift, ultimately responsible for all flight operations at your assigned site, and supported by a senior flight director located with the Central operations centers as well as a 4-5 person shift flight crew.  

Responsibilities
  • Acts as single point-of-contact and control over Aerostat mission support activity during assigned work shift, including direct control of all crew activity relative to Aerostat pre-launch, launch, ascent, transition, station keeping, and recovery.  
  • Maintains current status of local weather conditions and weather trends as they influence mission support.  
  • Communicates with the TARS Control Center, Meteorological Forecast Facilities, and other Government agencies as appropriate.  
  • Makes significant event and data entries in the mission flight log.  
  • Prepares and maintains the flight system weight logs and weight and balance records for the operational Aerostat.  
  • Maintains cognizance of system performance.  
  • Conducts routine Aerostat performance computations as necessary to acquire data results relative to Aerostat system state-of-health trends.  
  • Determines when helium addition is required and computes the quantity to be added. Keeps and provides reports of on-hand helium assets and helium usage. Evaluates Aerostat lift and purity trends. Reports any unusual trends to management and recommends remedial action.  
  • Provides supervision for the flight operations and maintenance crew during assigned shift.  
  • Trains and certifies other personnel in selected Aerostat electronic subsystem procedures.  
  • May be assigned Quality Control duties as required. May be required to work in special man-lift vehicles.  
  • Functions as a key member of the flight crew for inflation, deflation, launch, recovery, maintenance, and in-flight activities. 
  • Directs and performs corrective and preventative maintenance on the Aerostat telemetry and control subsystems, power and control subsystems, tether subsystem, meteorological equipment, ground station electronic subsystems, payload and communications subsystems, and site facility electronics as appropriate. 
  • Directs and performs all Aerostat electronic subsystem preflight and postflight checks and inspections as required.  
  • Coordinates resupply and repair logistics activities for the Aerostat electronics subsystems.  
  • May serve as the Site Manager in his absence.  
  • Ensures that site security functions are accomplished and that any unusual security conditions are reported.  
  • Directs actions of security guards as necessary.  
  • May perform duties associated with site safety, security, training, and maintenance control.  
  • Performs and directs activities to fulfill Civil Engineering site tasks related to electrical services and equipment.  
Required Qualifications

EXPERIENCE: 5 years' aerostat experience; 2 Supervisory. 

EDUCATION: High school graduate. 16 hours of formal Weather Observation training by a Weather Professional (or acquire in the first year on the contract). 

Prior certification on TARS aerostats a plus.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: National Agency Check (NAC) 

LANGUAGE: Must be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. 

PHYSICAL: Work requires the ability to perform the following physical activities: walking, standing, stooping, bending, twisting, crawling, reaching, lifting 25lbs, sitting, and squatting. Work may require walking, standing, sitting, and working in confined spaces or at high elevations for extended periods of time. Warehouse, exterior and interior work environments, sometimes in inclement weather. Candidates must be willing and able to work various work shifts as assigned. 

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to staffing@us.QinetiQ.com or call (540) 658-2720 Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Employment Type: OTHER