Technical Director, Civil Aviation

Technical Director, Civil Aviation

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Position Summary:

The Technical Director for Civil Aviation reports directly to AIA’s Vice President for Civil Aviation. The Technical Director is responsible for supporting and advancing the entire range of priorities within the Civil Aviation portfolio as well as cross division focus on other engineering and technical issues that impact or are expected to impact the aerospace industry. The Technical Director will bring their technical, organizational, political, and business acumen to bear in anticipating and/or resolving issues associated with current and future aerospace systems, products, and operations. A key focus may be associated with certification of new or modified progress and methodologies by which current processes/practices can be improved for greater efficiencies.

The Technical Director will advise the AIA Senior Leadership team of technical, operational, and regulatory implications of domestic and international policy initiatives that impact the aerospace manufacturing industry. The Technical Director will manage content and membership of relevant CCWGs for Civil Aviation. These bodies may take the initiative to formulate positions to be presented to the U.S. government, international bodies, and other industries. The Technical Director is expected to foster an environment of teamwork, professionalism, and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory, Policy and Technology Management (40%)

• The Technical Director is responsible for anticipating and/or monitoring issues and policies that affect the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of traditional and emerging aircraft and operations.
• The Technical Director may be called on to deal with associated issues such as spectrum, automation, AI, etc. for these domains and for coordinating AIA’s activities in these areas.  These associated issues might include policy formulation, economic, and technical trends, flight safety and regulation, aircraft environmental performance, legislative initiatives, and R&D policy.
• The Technical Director will develop new policies, positions, and ideas to advance advocacy and respond to significant government legislation and regulatory changes on behalf of the commercial aviation industry.
• The Technical Director will proactively stay updated in their field(s) of expertise and will be expected to conduct seminars, webinars, and other events to facilitate education/awareness among AIA staff and members.

Member Engagement, Cross Government/Industry Coordination, Interpersonal Skills (40%)

• The Technical Director works closely within the Civil Aviation team and with other internal departments and staff; in conjunction with the Vice President, the Technical Director provides focus for all aspects of civil aviation efforts, which may overlap other functional departments within the association.
• The Technical Director proactively builds partnerships external to AIA, including those with AIA members, relevant USG interests to include Congressional staff, other CAAs, industry stakeholders, other trade associations, and multi-lateral and other international organizations through CCWGs and other forums.
• The Technical Director is seen as a trusted partner internally and externally by engaging with others, developing quality products, and demonstrating accountable behaviors.
• The Technical Director participates in seeking industry alignment; drafting and refining AIA’s positions on the various issues and topics under consideration and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate relevant officials.
• The Technical Director develops agendas, meeting objectives, and participants, prepares budgets and supervises site selection, meeting arrangements, generation of background materials, and minutes of the proceedings.
• The Technical Director serves as a key resource to the AIA Leadership Team and other departments in issues beyond civil aviation (i.e., AIA events).

External Engagement (20%)

• The Technical Director works with the Vice President(s) and team(s) to (including but not limited to) identify opportunities for AIA participation to optimize industry voice; prepare for panels and moderates discussions at high-level aviation summits and conferences; serves as an industry representative on government advisory boards and committees.
• The Technical Director represents U.S. manufacturing positions in multi-lateral and international forum.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in an aerospace discipline, engineering, technology discipline, math, other related technical areas; an advanced degree or other additional education is preferred.
• A minimum of 8-10 years prior experience in aerospace related public or private institution.
• Experience managing, developing, or advocating positions on issues related to aviation/aerospace systems, emerging technologies, or infrastructure. A thorough understanding of civil aviation policy and regulation is preferred.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to write or oversee technical briefs, advocacy papers, and comments on rulemaking activities.
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in customer service with high standards of timeliness and responsiveness.
• Demonstrated experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, collegiality, and self-motivation are necessary for success.
• Experience with or in US government agencies (FAA/DOT) and/or Congressional committees that oversee civil aviation issues, preferred.

To Apply, please send the following documents to (see our website):

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Military service valued, including those still serving in the National Guard or Reserve.