Flight Sciences Director: Aerodynamics & Certification

Otto Aerospace LLC; Jacksonville (FL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

Life insurance

Job summary

Otto Aerospace is seeking a Manager of Flight Sciences to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the technical definition, execution, and certification of all flight sciences disciplines. You will coordinate with Flight Test, Certification, Systems, Structures, and Program Management to ensure regulatory compliance and on-schedule deliveries.

This role combines hands-on technical authority with people, budget, and planning responsibilities, guiding aerodynamic design, performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• 10+ years in flight sciences, aerodynamics, or flight mechanics with leadership experience.
• Experience leading technical teams and delivering engineering products to schedule.
• Experience with civil certification standards (FAA Part 23/25).

Responsibilities

• Lead the Flight Sciences team, including staffing, mentoring, and performance management.
• Oversee integration with Flight Test, Certification, Systems, Structures, and Program Management.
• Direct aerodynamic design and optimization using first-principles and simulation-driven methods.
• Maintain tools, processes, and capability roadmaps for Flight Sciences.
• Communicate outputs clearly and ensure traceability into program decisions.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to aerodynamic performance and envelope limits.
• Support trade studies and configuration decisions with data-driven analysis.
• Act as technical approval authority for analyses, reports, and certification data packages.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Budgeting

Mentoring

Technical authority

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Master's degree in aerospace engineering (preferred)

Job description

Otto Aerospace is seeking a Manager of Flight Sciences to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the technical definition, execution, and certification of all flight sciences disciplines. You will coordinate with Flight Test, Certification, Systems, Structures, and Program Management to ensure regulatory compliance and on-schedule deliveries.

This role combines hands-on technical authority with people, budget, and planning responsibilities, guiding aerodynamic design, performance