Aviation and Safety Manager

Bridger Photonics; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridger Photonics seeks an experienced Aviation and Safety Manager to oversee the compliance and qualifications of aerial flight providers. This role involves managing procurement processes, ensuring FAA compliance, and leading safety audits for fixed-wing, rotary, and UAS operations. Candidates should have a degree in aviation management or related fields, alongside 5+ years of experience in aviation operations or safety. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of regulatory frameworks are essential. The role supports critical safety and operational efforts for aerial emissions detection relevant to oil and gas operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in aviation operations, flight safety, or compliance.
• Working knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Own the qualification and compliance process for flight providers.
• Maintain knowledge of FAA regulations and manage provider records.
• Administer a safety audit program and track safety metrics.

Skills

Aviation operations

Flight safety

Aviation compliance

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation management or related field

Job description

Bridger Photonics is a Montana-based industry leader in aerial detection of methane emissions. We use aircraft-mounted scanning laser systems to detect, locate, and quantify methane emissions for oil and gas operators across the United States and internationally. Our work is at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, environmental impact, and operational excellence — and it depends on safe, reliable, and compliant aerial operations every day.

About the role

Bridger Photonics is seeking an experienced and aviation-minded Aviation and Safety Manager to join our Legal department. This role serves as the company's central point of ownership for the procurement, qualification, compliance, and ongoing oversight of all aerial flight providers engaged by Bridger — including fixed-wing, rotary, quadcopter, and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVOS) UAV operators — around the world.

Bridger's Gas Mapping Emissions scans are flown by a network of third-party flight providers operating across the United States and internationally. The Aviation and Safety Manager serves as the company's subject matter expert and primary steward for ensuring that every flight provider Bridger engages is properly qualified, certified, insured, and operating safely and in compliance with applicable regulations. This role also leads the procurement process for new flight providers, partnering with Operations and other departments to build a rigorous and consistent vetting framework.

What you'll Do

Flight Provider Procurement & Vetting

• Own the end-to-end process for identifying, evaluating, and qualifying new aerial flight providers across all aircraft types (fixed-wing, rotary, drone/UAS, and unmanned platforms).
• Enhance and maintain standardized vetting frameworks for each flight provider category, in close partnership with Legal and Operations — including minimum qualification criteria, documentation requirements, safety program standards, and insurance thresholds.
• Lead due diligence on prospective providers: review FAA operating certificates (or equivalent), maintenance programs, pilot qualifications, safety records, incident/accident history, and insurance documentation. Facilitate structured provider comparisons and present findings to Legal, Operations, and leadership to support informed selection decisions.
• Maintain a qualified provider registry to streamline future engagements and capture institutional knowledge about vetted operators.
• Track and maintain vendor performance metrics to ensure vendors meet agreed standards. Address deficiencies, maintain action item registries and ensure closure of remedial actions.

Compliance & Certification Oversight

• Maintain current knowledge of FAA regulations and relevant federal, state, and international rules applicable to Bridger's flight provider network, including commercial on-demand, general aviation, drone, and unmanned operations, as well as any applicable BVLOS, waiver, or international operating authority requirements.
• Ensure all active flight providers hold and maintain current, appropriate certifications, operating specifications, and regulatory authorizations for the missions they perform on Bridger's behalf.
• Track certificate and authorization expiration dates, renewal requirements, and any FAA or regulatory enforcement actions affecting Bridger's providers.
• Monitor forthcoming aviation regulations and UAS/BVLOS rulemaking at the federal and state level; analyze proposed rules for operational and commercial impact and prepare timely internal briefings for the CLO and leadership team.
• Identify opportunities for Bridger to participate in the regulatory process — including public comment periods, industry working groups, and trade association engagement — and recommend where advocacy or lobbying efforts would best protect and advance Bridger's operational interests.
• Coordinate with outside counsel, government affairs resources, and industry associations to support Bridger's positions on key rulemaking matters, particularly around BVLOS operations, UAS integration, and commercial drone standards.

Insurance & Risk Management

• Establish and maintain minimum aviation insurance requirements by provider category (e.g., hull and liability coverage for fixed-wing and rotary, UAS liability, payload coverage).
• Collect, review, and track certificates of insurance (COIs) for all active flight providers; manage renewal schedules and promptly flag lapses, coverage gaps, or deficiencies to the CLO and relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Bridger's insurance broker to ensure flight provider requirements are aligned with Bridger's own insurance program and customer contract obligations.
• Identify and elevate insurance or risk issues that may affect Bridger's contractual obligations to its customers.

Safety Program Oversight & Audits

• Enhance and administer an annual flight provider safety audit program, tiered by mission type, aircraft category, and operational risk. Work with Bridger customers to ensure vendor qualification and audits meet minimum customer and industry standards.
• Evaluate provider Safety Management Systems (SMS) and safety cultures; assess alignment with industry standards such as IS-BAO, ACSF, or FAA SMS frameworks where applicable.
• Conduct or coordinate on-site audits of flight providers as warranted; document findings, track corrective actions, and elevate unresolved safety concerns to the CLO.
• Establish and maintain a flight provider incident and safety event reporting process; track and analyze safety data across the provider network to identify trends and inform risk management decisions.
• Serve as a resource for internal stakeholders on aviation safety standards, provider performance concerns, and risk mitigation strategies.

Contract Administration Support

• In coordination with the Legal team, support the development and maintenance of standard subcontractor and flight provider agreement templates.
• Track key contract terms for active flight providers including term/expiration dates, insurance requirements, regulatory compliance obligations, and notice provisions.
• Flag contract renewals, expirations, and gaps for attorney review.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as the primary internal point of contact on flight provider qualification, compliance status, and safety performance.
• Partner closely with Operations on mission planning requirements, provider selection needs, and any safety or compliance concerns that arise during active engagements.
• Brief the CLO regularly on provider network status, audit findings, regulatory developments, and open risk items.
• Contribute to Bridger's customer-facing deliverables as needed where flight provider qualifications or safety standards are relevant to customer MSA obligations or audits.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in aviation management, aerospace, safety science, or a related field — or equivalent combination of education and professional aviation experience
• 5+ years of experience in aviation operations, flight safety, aviation compliance, or a closely related field
• Working knowledge of FAA regulatory frameworks applicable to commercial flight operations, including fixed-wing, rotary, and UAS operations
• Familiarity with aviation insurance requirements and certificate of insurance review
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage a diverse portfolio of flight providers across multiple aircraft types and operational contexts
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable working cross-functionally with operations, legal, and executive stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities

Preferred

• Experience working with or auditing UAS/drone operators, including familiarity with BVLOS operations and evolving FAA drone rulemaking
• Familiarity with aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) and safety audit standards such as IS-BAO or ACSF
• Experience supporting procurement or vendor qualification programs in an aviation or aerospace context
• Exposure to international aviation regulatory frameworks (EASA, Transport Canada, ANAC, GCAA, or similar)
• Pilot's certificate (any category/class) or prior flight operations experience
• Experience in the energy, oil and gas, or remote sensing industries