FAA ODA Program Lead

Leadership In Flight Training Academy; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

LIFT Academy is seeking an experienced ODA Administrator to oversee its Airman Certification ODA program. This role ensures compliance with FAA directives, manages Unit Members conducting practical tests, and serves as liaison with FAA ODA Office and Certificate Management Team.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of 14 CFR Part 141, airman certification standards, and FAA delegation systems, plus strong leadership, audit, and process improvement skills to shape LIFT’s certification

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working with the FAA on airmen training or certification projects.
• Experience in roles such as Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, or Training Program Manager.
• Comprehensive knowledge of FAA regulations and ODA procedures.
• Proven management experience for the ODA scope.
• Ability to ensure safety culture and incident investigation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the ODA program, ensuring structure, integrity, and compliance.
• Coordinate with FAA ODA Office and management teams.
• Interview, appoint and supervise Unit Members performing certification tests.
• Maintain FAA compliance and conduct internal audits.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency and scalability.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Management experience

Safety culture

Communication skills

Audit/inspection skills

Education

Commercial Pilot Certificate (CFI/CFII, ATP preferred)

Tools

WebOPSS

IACRA

FAA data systems

Job description

LIFT Academy is seeking an experienced ODA Administrator to oversee its Airman Certification ODA program. This role ensures compliance with FAA directives, manages Unit Members conducting practical tests, and serves as liaison with FAA ODA Office and Certificate Management Team.

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of 14 CFR Part 141, airman certification standards, and FAA delegation systems, plus strong leadership, audit, and process improvement skills to shape LIFT’s certification