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Flight Operations Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Icarus

Flight Operations Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the ... High signal (engineering) to noise (management) culture * Dream desk setup * Daily lunch

Icarus

Flight Operations Engineer

El Segundo, CA

The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the ... High signal (engineering) to noise (management) culture * Dream desk setup * Daily lunch

KBR

Flight Operations Project Specialist

China Lake, CA · On-site

$51K - $60K/yr

With a strong ethical framework, KBR prioritizes data security, privacy, and responsible information management to ensure mission success. KBR is seeking a highly qualified Flight Operations Project ...

Sun Air Jets, LLC

Manager, Flight Control

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Founded in 2021 with operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Van Nuys and Camarillo, California ... Position Summary The Manager of Flight Control is responsible for leading the daily execution of ...

Sun Air Jets, LLC

Manager, Flight Control

Camarillo, CA

$75K - $100K/yr

Founded in 2021 with operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Van Nuys and Camarillo, California ... Position Summary The Manager of Flight Control is responsible for leading the daily execution of ...

Sun Air Jets, LLC

Manager, Flight Control

Camarillo, CA

$75K - $100K/yr

Founded in 2021 with operations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Van Nuys and Camarillo, California ... Position Summary The Manager of Flight Control is responsible for leading the daily execution of ...

Icarus

Flight Operations Generalist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Flight Operations Generalist is the person who takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky ... High signal (engineering) to noise (management) culture * Dream desk setup * Daily lunch

E-Space

Flight Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA

Develop and execute operational scripts and automation tools. Leverage Python and Bash scripting to ... Experience querying and managing data from SQL/NoSQL databases and telemetry filestores.

E-Space

Flight Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

Develop and execute operational scripts and automation tools. Leverage Python and Bash scripting to ... Experience querying and managing data from SQL/NoSQL databases and telemetry filestores.

E-Space

Flight Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

Develop and execute operational scripts and automation tools. Leverage Python and Bash scripting to ... Experience querying and managing data from SQL/NoSQL databases and telemetry filestores.

System Dynamics Intl

Flight Duty Officer

Palmdale, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

System Dynamics International, Inc. is seeking a qualified Flight Duty Officer (FDO) to support flight operations and Squadron Aviation Resource Management (SARM) functions in support of U.S. Air ...

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Flight Operations Manager information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$81.8K

$106.1K

How much do flight operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for flight operations manager in California is $81,842.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $97,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities for a Flight Operations Manager?

As a Flight Operations Manager, your daily responsibilities usually include overseeing flight scheduling, monitoring crew assignments, managing regulatory compliance, and ensuring all flights operate efficiently and safely. You will coordinate closely with pilots, dispatchers, ground staff, and maintenance teams to resolve operational issues and adjust plans as needed. In addition, you may be responsible for reviewing flight reports, updating procedures, and implementing improvements to streamline operations. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on problem solving and requires frequent collaboration across departments for optimal results.

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

To thrive as a Flight Operations Manager, you need in-depth knowledge of aviation regulations, flight planning, and operational logistics, usually supported by a relevant degree or extensive aviation experience. Proficiency with dispatch software, flight tracking systems, and familiarity with regulatory certifications such as an FAA Dispatcher License are typically required. Exceptional organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and strong leadership qualities help set candidates apart in this position. These competencies are vital for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant flight operations in the fast-paced aviation industry.

What does a Flight Operations Manager do?

A Flight Operations Manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of airline or aviation operations to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. They manage flight schedules, crew assignments, and operational logistics while collaborating with air traffic control, ground staff, and maintenance teams. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of aviation regulations to ensure smooth and timely flight operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Flight Operations jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Flight Operations Manager jobs in California? For Flight Operations Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Operations Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Operations Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Flight Operations Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Flight Operations Manager job openings:
Flight Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Operations Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,842 per year, or $39.3 per hour.
Flight Operations Engineer

Flight Operations Engineer

Icarus

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Icarus was founded on the belief that the Stratosphere is the Forgotten Frontier and that reclaiming it will define the next era of aerospace and what is possible from the sky. We build solar-powered aircraft that fly at 60,000 ft for weeks at a time, delivering persistent, affordable, and scalable presence from this layer of the atmosphere.
The Flight Operations Engineer takes our aircraft from the hangar to the sky and back, and owns the technical depth behind every flight. You set up the test site, prepare the aircraft, run preflight, operate it in flight, and troubleshoot whatever comes up. You also write the procedures, configure the systems, and analyze the data that make each flight better than the last. When Icarus goes to the field, you are both the operator and the engineer in the loop.
Mission
Re-establish and maintain dominance in the Stratosphere.
What you'll do
Set up the site and the aircraft
  • Analyze and verify test site conditions to ensure successful conduct of a flight test; sound judgement in aviation safety, preflight analysis of atmospheric conditions, and adherence to regulations.
  • Assemble, configure, and prepare aircraft for flight, including mechanical, electrical, and payload setup.
  • Run preflight inspections and checklists, and make the call on whether the aircraft is ready.
  • Configure and verify the ground control station, telemetry links, and mission plan before every flight.

Fly
  • Prescribe autonomous mission sets and operate the aircraft in flight by modifying software characteristics, ensuring efficient execution of the test plan.
  • Monitor telemetry and aircraft health in real time and respond to anomalies in the moment.
  • Act as the calm, decisive voice on the sticks when something goes wrong in the air.
  • Run launch and recovery, including any non-traditional takeoff and landing configurations.

Engineer the operation
  • Write and refine test plans, test cards, checklists, and standard operating procedures.
  • Configure and tune autopilot, GCS, and aircraft software parameters.
  • Analyze flight logs and telemetry, run root cause analysis, and write up quick-look and formal test reports.
  • Build tooling and scripts that speed up setup, data review, and field operations.
  • Own the technical interface between flight operations and the engineering team.

Troubleshoot and turn around
  • Diagnose and fix mechanical, electrical, and software issues in the field to keep the test campaign moving.
  • Refurbish and reset the aircraft between flights and prepare it for the next sortie.
  • Drive the next iteration based on what the data and the flight told you.
What we're looking for
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or software engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience in aviation or aviation-adjacent military occupational fields.
  • 3+ years of UAS, flight test, or aircraft operations experience, or equivalent military experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to set up, preflight, operate, and recover an unmanned aircraft.
  • Strong technical troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, and software systems.
  • Proficiency with ground control station software.
  • Strong Linux command line skills for debugging, scripting, and troubleshooting.
  • Calm, decisive judgment under pressure, especially with an aircraft in the air.
  • Strong communicator, non-negotiable.
  • High trust, extreme ownership, no ego.
Bonus
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
  • Experience with developmental flight test, first-flight events, or build-up test programs.
  • Background building RC or UAS aircraft (SAE Aero, Design Build Fly, or serious hobbyist).
  • FAA Airframe and Powerplant license or military aviation maintenance background.
  • Aviation-adjacent military specialty with "air sense" (JTAC, CCT, etc).
  • Experience operating in austere or remote field environments.
Why Icarus
  1. Meaningful equity
  2. Top market salary and bonuses
  3. Health, dental, and vision insurance
  4. Factory in El Segundo
  5. Real ownership, real hardware, real flight
  6. Small team, massive responsibility
  7. High signal (engineering) to noise (management) culture
  8. Dream desk setup
  9. Daily lunch
  10. Unlimited celsius
This is not a normal flight ops job
  1. We are pioneers, not corporate managers. Icarus deliberately optimizes for a high signal (engineers) to noise (management) ratio, where engineering, flight, and execution matter more than process, politics, or management overhead.
  2. You will work side by side with engineers because you are one. You will own the aircraft in the field end to end. Set it up. Preflight it. Fly it. Analyze it. Fix it. Fly it again, better.
  3. We expect full extreme ownership. This is a high-trust, no-BS team, and everyone pulls their weight, especially in the field.
  4. We want operators, not bystanders. No simulators standing in for the real thing. No watching others fly. Just real aircraft, real test sites, and real flight.
  5. You must thrive under pressure, learn fast, and produce in the field. We move fast. We go to Mojave at 4 am in the morning. We expect results and an obsession with quality and speed.
  6. You will be the engineer on the sticks when our aircraft climbs to 60,000 ft. If you want to own both the flight and the data behind it, this is it.

No tourists. No bystanders. Only builders.
Hiring process
  1. Phone screen
  2. Technical and operations assessment
  3. Meet the flight and engineering team in-person
US salary range
$120,000 - $180,000 USD
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Icarus' total compensation package.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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