Director of Flight Operations Jobs
Director of Flight Operations jobs are open across commercial airlines, cargo carriers, charter operators, and military contractors, with specializations in regulatory compliance, crew scheduling, and safety management, at levels from operations manager to VP of flight operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
LAUNCH ENGINEER, CONTROL & FLIGHT OPERATIONS (FALCON LAUNCH OPS)
Seeking an individual to join the Falcon launch control team in Vandenberg. You will serve as an on-console shift operator supporting launch and pad operations for all 3 Falcon launch complexes (SLC-4E, SLC-40, L-39A). You will develop and maintain the Ground Software automation that forms the backbone of these operations, continuously improving its reliability, efficiency, and robustness. You will train to qualify as a copilot and pilot controller for day-of-launch activities, applying multidisciplinary first-principles engineering to rapidly understand, communicate, and resolve issues across pad, vehicle, and automation systems in high-stakes, time-critical environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work as an on-console shift operator for all launch operations and preparations for launch operations, including refurbishment of the pad systems in preps for launch
- Develop and maintain automation (via SpaceX Ground Software) that runs as the backbone of launch operations. This automation is constantly being updated to improve reliability, efficiency, and robustness of the operation
- Work with technicians in the field via radio comms to accomplish operations and troubleshoot faulty hardware/data
- Train and acquire requisite knowledge and skills to qualify as a copilot and pilot controller to perform the day-of-launch operations
- Apply multidisciplinary, first principles engineering to understand, communicate, and resolve real-time issues for any subsystem on the pad, rocket, or automation, all in a time-critical environment such as in the hours before launch
- Identify and proactively implement improvements to either automation or procedures that enable smoother operations, robust automation that reduces manual intervention, and more reliable processes that are less prone to human error
- Support 24/7 operations by alternating between day shift and night shift
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience working with fluid, pressurized, or electrical systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience working on rocket launch/test facilities and/or working on rocket flight hardware
- Experience working with SpaceX Ground Software architecture
- Experience interacting with control systems via a GUI/console setup
- Experience troubleshooting and reviewing data to diagnose unhealthy/nonconforming hardware
- Familiarity with controls and instrumentation hardware (valves, transducers, regulators, RTDs, etc)
- Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly in a time-critical environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg
- Must be willing to work weekends and night shifts as launch manifest dictates
- Must be willing to travel to other launch sites in support of operational activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 15%
- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
- Comfort working in outdoor environments as required for system troubleshooting
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
LAUNCH ENGINEER, CONTROL & FLIGHT OPERATIONS (FALCON LAUNCH OPS)
Seeking an individual to join the Falcon launch control team in Vandenberg. You will serve as an on-console shift operator supporting launch and pad operations for all 3 Falcon launch complexes (SLC-4E, SLC-40, L-39A). You will develop and maintain the Ground Software automation that forms the backbone of these operations, continuously improving its reliability, efficiency, and robustness. You will train to qualify as a copilot and pilot controller for day-of-launch activities, applying multidisciplinary first-principles engineering to rapidly understand, communicate, and resolve issues across pad, vehicle, and automation systems in high-stakes, time-critical environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work as an on-console shift operator for all launch operations and preparations for launch operations, including refurbishment of the pad systems in preps for launch
- Develop and maintain automation (via SpaceX Ground Software) that runs as the backbone of launch operations. This automation is constantly being updated to improve reliability, efficiency, and robustness of the operation
- Work with technicians in the field via radio comms to accomplish operations and troubleshoot faulty hardware/data
- Train and acquire requisite knowledge and skills to qualify as a copilot and pilot controller to perform the day-of-launch operations
- Apply multidisciplinary, first principles engineering to understand, communicate, and resolve real-time issues for any subsystem on the pad, rocket, or automation, all in a time-critical environment such as in the hours before launch
- Identify and proactively implement improvements to either automation or procedures that enable smoother operations, robust automation that reduces manual intervention, and more reliable processes that are less prone to human error
- Support 24/7 operations by alternating between day shift and night shift
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or other engineering discipline
- 1+ years of experience working with fluid, pressurized, or electrical systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience working on rocket launch/test facilities and/or working on rocket flight hardware
- Experience working with SpaceX Ground Software architecture
- Experience interacting with control systems via a GUI/console setup
- Experience troubleshooting and reviewing data to diagnose unhealthy/nonconforming hardware
- Familiarity with controls and instrumentation hardware (valves, transducers, regulators, RTDs, etc)
- Strong communication skills and ability to communicate clearly in a time-critical environment
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg
- Must be willing to work weekends and night shifts as launch manifest dictates
- Must be willing to travel to other launch sites in support of operational activities and launches; travel requirement is up to 15%
- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is required
- Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
- Comfort working in outdoor environments as required for system troubleshooting
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
Director of Flight Operations Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsDirector of Flight Operations Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of flight operations jobs.
- FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with current or recent Part 121 operating experience
- Minimum five years of flight operations management or chief pilot leadership experience
- Deep working knowledge of FAA Part 121, Part 135, or Part 91 regulations
- Experience overseeing Safety Management Systems and Flight Operational Quality Assurance programs
- Proven ability to manage crew scheduling, training compliance, and certificate oversight simultaneously
- Bachelor's degree in aviation management, aerospace, or a related field preferred by most carriers
Tips for Your Director of Flight Operations Job Search
Tailor your resume to FAA requirements
Highlight your FAA Air Carrier Certification experience, Part 121 or Part 135 operational oversight, and any direct involvement in ops spec amendments. Recruiters for this role scan for regulatory fluency before anything else.
Lead with safety record and audit outcomes
Directors of flight operations are accountable for SMS programs and line check standards. Quantify your safety audit results, any ASAP or FOQA program oversight, and improvements in operational compliance under your leadership.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of flight operations openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target operators by certificate type
Part 121 carriers, Part 135 on-demand operators, and Part 91 corporate flight departments each expect different operational depth. Search by certificate type and filter to roles where your specific regulatory background matches the operator's certificate.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Expect detailed questions on how you have handled AOG situations, irregular operations, or crew shortage events at scale. Walk through your decision framework step by step, including how you coordinated with dispatch, maintenance, and the FSDO.
Negotiate scope before accepting an offer
Clarify fleet size, number of crew bases, reporting structure to the VP or accountable executive, and whether you hold the actual DOT-designated Director of Operations title with regulatory authority before signing anything.
Director of Flight Operations Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of flight operationss?
The companies hiring the most director of flight operationss right now include MTSI, Wing, and SpaceX, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Regional carriers and cargo operators tend to post the highest volume of openings relative to their fleet size.
How many director of flight operations jobs are remote?
About 100% of director of flight operations openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on oversight most operators require on-site. Administrative functions like policy development, regulatory correspondence, and crew records management are the sub-areas most likely to allow some remote flexibility.
How do you become a director of flight operations?
Start by earning an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and accumulating substantial flight time under Part 121 or Part 135 operations. Progress through chief pilot or assistant director roles to gain regulatory oversight experience, then build familiarity with SMS programs, ops spec management, and crew training compliance before pursuing director-level positions.
Can you get hired as a director of flight operations with limited management experience?
Most operators require prior experience as a chief pilot, assistant director of operations, or base manager before promoting into the director role, because the position carries direct FAA regulatory accountability. Candidates transitioning from the flight deck can accelerate the path by taking on training captain duties, check airman designations, or safety committee leadership to build documented management depth.
What does the director of flight operations interview process look like?
The process typically starts with an HR screening focused on certificate credentials and regulatory background, followed by a panel interview with the VP of operations, the Director of Safety, and sometimes the accountable executive. Expect technical questions on ops spec interpretation, irregular operations handling, and crew resource management philosophy, often concluding with a presentation on how you would approach a specific operational challenge.
Where can I find and apply to director of flight operations jobs?
You can find and apply to director of flight operations jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your certificate background and operational experience, then apply directly to each listing from the job page.
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