Director, Emerging Aviation Technology

Socket.dev; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director for Emerging Aviation Technologies at AIA leads strategic efforts to modernize the nation's air traffic system and weave Advanced Air Mobility, autonomy, and AI into the airspace framework.

The role interfaces with FAA/DOT and industry stakeholders, shaping policy positions and coordinating regulatory approaches for safety and security in aviation technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation, aerospace, engineering, policy, government, or related field.
• Minimum five years in aerospace-related government, association, or corporate roles.
• Experience with ATC, AAM, or civil aviation regulation.
• Experience developing or advocating positions on advanced aviation systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate the value of membership and expand into new markets.
• Experience with US government agencies (FAA/DOT) or Congressional committees.

Responsibilities

• Modernize air traffic control and integrate AAM into the national airspace.
• Coordinate committees and liaise with governments and member firms.
• Represent the association at ICCAIA and other external engagements.

Skills

Executive communication

Written communication

Oral communication

Collaborative work

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder liaison

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation/aerospace/engineering/public policy/government or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Director for Emerging Aviation Technologies reports directly to Vice President, Civil Aviation. The position is responsible for developing strategic direction and priorities within assigned areas of focus and coordinating for industry consensus positions.

The primary focus of the position will be the modernization of air traffic system, integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), autonomy, and AI into the national airspace system, highly efficient regulatory approaches to AAM product certification and risk-based decision making for aviation safety and security within innovative technologies.

As the voice of American aerospace and defense, AIA represents a diverse group of companies from tier one/prime OEMs and integrators to family-owned small businesses. This position works directly with all AIA staff to ensure AIA continues to represent core aerospace and defense companies.

AIA represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, space systems, helicopters, as well as other aerospace products and services.

The salary range for this role is $125,000-$150,000.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory, Policy and Technology Management (40%)

• Responsible for addressing all efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, including the Brand New Air Traffic System. This position will be responsible for interfacing with the FAA/DOT, as well as any member company on this effort. Provide regular updates on the status of efforts to modernize, as well as identify areas for AIA to collaborate with other stakeholders to advance this effort.
• Responsible for addressing all issues that impact the design, manufacture, and operation of AAM aircraft, and for coordinating the association's activities in these areas.
• Analyzes various trends, issues, areas of concern and emerging patterns pertaining to domestic and international manufacture and operation of AAM to provide insight into future developments and to anticipate the need for association positions and actions. These areas include economic and technical trends, flight safety and regulation, aircraft environmental performance, legislative initiatives, and R&D policy.
• Reviews and critiques available data including proprietary information, academic background and relevant studies, policies, and recommendations from other domestic and foreign industry sources.
• Initiates actions to develop other data, reports, or other material needed to substantiate positions.
• Contributes and authors articles and news items to the AIA newsletters and op-eds, highlighting issues and developments within own areas of expertise and responsibility.

Consensus Building, Member Interface and Coordination with Government. (40%)

• Coordinates the activities of committees, subcommittees and working groups established to address U.S. and international policies and regulatory issues within area of focus. These committees and working groups formulate industry positions to be presented to U.S., foreign, and international agencies, bureaus and commissions, or respond to government inquiries dealing with special areas of concern that require industry input.
• Maintains liaison with senior policy level counterparts in member companies, U.S. and foreign governments, international organizations, other associations, and academia covering technical and legislative matters to define issues and focal points.
• Participates in seeking industry consensus; drafting and refining AIA's positions on the various issues and topics under consideration and in making these viewpoints known to appropriate agency officials and relevant private sector organizations.

External Engagement (20%)

• Coordinates and leads industry coalitions relating to issues under the air traffic modernization priorities.
• Represents AIA at ICCAIA activities relating to airspace integration, and AAM.
• Represents AIA at various official gatherings, organizing and chairing sessions, speaking or serving as a panelist. Works with other organizations and trade groups to inform them of the AIA positions and to align policy positions.
• Coordinates with membership on external engagements to recruit potential AIA members.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree in aviation, aerospace, engineering, public policy, government or legislative affairs, or related fields or comparable work experience required.
• A minimum of five years’ prior experience in aerospace-related government, association or corporation position.
• Experience with issues regarding the development and regulation of ATC, AAM or other aviation systems for civil aviation.
• Experience managing, development, or advocating positions on issues related to advanced aviation systems, emerging technologies or infrastructure.
• High level communication and persuasive skills to communicate and coordinate consensus on civil aviation issues and policy concerns of our member companies.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, programs and value of membership in AIA to maintain and increase membership including reaching and/or expanding into new or untapped markets.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills.
• 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.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be me t by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation 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 providing employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, which may be assigned by the supervisor