Flight Operations Inspector Jobs in Whittier, CA

This position is looking for a highly motivated Program Manager with emphasis in FAA, DoD, and other regulatory organizations focused on FAA compliance and airspace access. Work closely with the program leadership, legal and a wide spectrum of cross-departments you will lead and support efforts focused on enabling the team to move fast and changing the industry forever. The role will be responsible for executing, and managing all FAA compliance and airspace authorization efforts for the Test & Evaluation team. Regulatory approval is frequently the pacing item for a test campaign, and this role owns clearing it.
The Test and Evaluation team at Anduril works across the entire spectrum of products and business lines, as well as all sub-surface, surface, airborne operation and test range management. Our team conducts full system level development testing, new production acceptance testing, sub-component qualification testing and much more. In short, if it involves test, we support it. If you are interested in working in an extremely innovative and fast paced environment, where your work directly makes an impact and difference in the products that are fielded this a fantastic opportunity.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance programs to ensure adherence to FAA regulations, including Part 21, Part 91, Part 107, Part 135, or other applicable rules.
• Prepare and submit regulatory applications, including FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs) - new, amended, and altitude/airspace expansions - 44807 exemptions, Part 107 waivers and authorizations, Certificates of Waiver, and type certification requests.
• Own the intake, prioritization, and end-to-end tracking of airspace access requests from across the company, maintaining a single authoritative system of record from initial request through FAA decision and post-approval conditions.
• Serve as a liaison with the FAA, Department of Defense (DoD), and other regulatory bodies to obtain necessary approvals for flight operations and experimental testing.
• Coordinate the non-FAA approvals that also gate flight test - including radio frequency and spectrum authorizations - so that airspace and supporting authorizations arrive in step rather than sequentially.
• Develop compliance strategies for new technologies, including autonomous systems, beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, and large UAS.
• Build and maintain the team's compliance reporting: track submission volume, approval and denial turnaround, cycle time, and aging of open requests; deliver a recurring readout to program and company leadership on regulatory throughput, bottlenecks, and risk.
• Support test site and range activation - work with site leads and flight operations on airspace design, deconfliction, NOTAMs, operating limitations, and standing authorizations for recurring test activity.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of FAA regulatory changes and provide guidance to internal stakeholders on compliance implications.
• Support audits, inspections, and internal reviews to ensure ongoing regulatory adherence.
• Work closely with engineering, flight operations, and safety teams to integrate compliance requirements into operational procedures.
• Assist in developing and maintaining regulatory documentation, manuals, and training materials related to FAA compliance.
• Provide training and guidance to company personnel on FAA compliance matters.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aerospace Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in FAA regulatory compliance, certification, airworthiness or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks, including experience with COAs, 44807 exemptions, Part 91, Part 135, or Part 107 operations.
• Experience engaging directly with FAA representatives and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to instrument and report on your own process: define the metrics that show whether approvals are keeping pace with test demand, and present them to a leadership audience.
• Familiarity with autonomous systems, UAS, and emerging aviation technologies.
• Experience in defense-related aviation programs, including interactions with the DoD or other government agencies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements to real-world operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting regulatory submissions and compliance documentation.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment, balancing regulatory requirements with operational objectives.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Must have strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly; apply them accurately; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and, determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Strong computer and documentation experience, including comfort building and maintaining trackers, dashboards, and written procedures that other people depend on.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks
• Ability to travel as required
• Able to work extended hours as required
• Bias for action - if you see a problem, you want to solve and fix it
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Secret-Level security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, or equivalent work tracking and documentation systems, including building reporting on top of them.
• FAA certification or regulatory-related training (e.g., DER, DAR, Part 107 certification, or other FAA compliance training).
• Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and risk-based compliance approaches.
• Experience with UAS-specific compliance issues, including BVLOS and detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies.
• Knowledge of DCMA 8210.1D, MIL-STD airworthiness processes, or other defense-related airworthiness policies.
• Experience working directly with the FAA and Department of Defense (DoD) regulators.
• Experience working with manned aircraft personnel and familiar with aviation terminology.
• Hold FAA Private Pilot Certificate, and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Has former DoD UAS operational experience.