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Flight Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

As Naval Flight Officers, manage sensors, weapons, navigation, communications, and mission systems, direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ...

As Naval Flight Officers, manage sensors, weapons, navigation, communications, and mission systems, direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ...

As Naval Flight Officers, manage sensors, weapons, navigation, communications, and mission systems, direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ...

As Naval Flight Officers, manage sensors, weapons, navigation, communications, and mission systems, direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ...

As Naval Flight Officers, manage sensors, weapons, navigation, communications, and mission systems, direct tactics, and coordinate the aircrew and external forces. * As Aviation Maintenance Duty ...

Showing results 41-60

Flight Director information

What is a flight director?

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.

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.

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.

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 knowledge of flight systems are essential. Many flight directors also undergo specialized training and simulations to prepare for managing complex flight scenarios.

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 safety protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Flight jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Flight Director jobs in Virginia?

For Flight Director jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Flight Director jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Flight Director jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Flight Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Flight Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Flight Director job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Lead Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer

Electra

Manassas, VA โ€ข Hybrid

$155K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

About Electra

At Electra, we're building the EL9 — a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology unlocks thousands of new operating locations and enables what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, point-to-point regional travel that gets people from where they are to where they want to go, without the congestion of major airports or the noise of conventional aviation.

A global company, headquartered in Manassas, VA, Electra is backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and Safran, has filed for FAA Part 23 type certification, and carries 2,000+ intent to purchase from operators worldwide. We're a team of ~100 people moving fast toward first EL9 test flights in 2027 and certification by late 2029 or 2030. Every hire matters at this stage — and this role is no exception.

The Role

The Lead Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer supports the instrumentation and testing of our hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. This is an incredible hands-on opportunity to support our projects and flight test team.

What You'll Do

  • Support aircraft Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) system development, integration, calibration/verification and operation.
  • Manage aircraft data acquisition, telemetry, processing and storage.
  • Work with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to establish instrumentation requirements and maintain a Master Parameter List.
  • Liaise between engineering, technicians and the test organization.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

What You'll Bring

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, computer engineering, or related field.
  • 5+ years' experience designing, integrating, calibrating and troubleshooting aircraft instrumentation.
  • Experience with data acquisition systems (e.g. TTC, NI, ACRA).
  • Experience with sensor characteristics (range, accuracy, frequency response, etc.)
  • Ability to operate independently in fast-paced test environment.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with a high-performance team.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Bonus Points

  • Practical experience with standard avionics communication protocols such as CAN bus and ARINC 429.
  • Experience developing basic software for process automation (C++, Python, etc.)
  • US Person (Citizen or Green Card) preferred.

This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on your relevant experience, skills, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.

Compensation Range
$155,000—$195,000 USD

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary and equity
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
  • Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
  • Paid winter break
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting
  • Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
  • Free on-site parking

Electra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position may be subject to ITAR requirements.