FAA Operations Process Subject Matter Expert (SME)

FAA Operations Process Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Position Overview

The FAA Operations Process Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides senior-level advisory and technical expertise to support Department of Defense (DoD) aviation programs requiring Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness certification, operational approvals, flight operations compliance, and continuous airworthiness management. The SME serves as a trusted advisor to Government leadership on FAA regulatory requirements, aircraft operational processes, certification strategies, and aviation safety programs while supporting acquisition, modernization, sustainment, and operational initiatives.

The SME applies extensive knowledge of FAA regulations, commercial and military aviation operations, airworthiness certification, operational approvals, mission planning and dispatch processes, and continuous airworthiness programs to ensure aircraft and operational processes comply with applicable FAA requirements and industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities

FAA Certification and Airworthiness Support

• Advise Government personnel on securing, maintaining, and modifying FAA airworthiness certifications for assigned aircraft.
• Support development and execution of certification strategies for aircraft modifications, supplemental type certifications (STCs), operational approvals, and special airworthiness requirements.
• Provide expertise regarding FAA aircraft certification processes, airworthiness standards, and continued operational compliance.
• Coordinate with FAA representatives, aviation authorities, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and industry stakeholders to resolve certification and operational issues.

Flight Operations and Regulatory Compliance

• Design, evaluate, and implement safe, effective, and FAA-compliant flight operations processes.
• Advise on FAA FAR Part 121 operating requirements and airline-style operational practices.
• Assess operational procedures, mission planning processes, dispatch functions, crew qualification programs, and operational risk management practices.
• Support development and implementation of operational manuals, standard operating procedures, and compliance programs.
• Provide recommendations regarding global airspace navigation requirements, communication systems, navigation equipment, and international operating approvals.

Continuous Airworthiness Management

• Develop and support implementation of Continuous Airworthiness Management Programs (CAMP).
• Advise on Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) requirements and best practices.
• Support development and execution of reliability programs, maintenance oversight processes, and continuous analysis surveillance systems (CASS).
• Evaluate maintenance and operational programs for FAA compliance and effectiveness.
• Assist with airworthiness reviews, audits, inspections, and corrective action programs.

Regulatory and Industry Coordination

• Provide expertise regarding FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory frameworks and rulemaking processes.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impacts to Government aviation programs.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, industry organizations, and aviation stakeholders regarding compliance, certification, and operational matters.
• Support development of policy recommendations and implementation strategies associated with aviation regulatory requirements.

Acquisition and Program Management Support

• Apply knowledge of DoD acquisition processes and lifecycle management to support aviation-related programs.
• Support acquisition reviews, technical evaluations, milestone reviews, and program decision activities.
• Assist with development of acquisition documentation, requirements analysis, risk assessments, and technical recommendations.
• Participate in System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Functional Configuration Audits (FCA), Physical Configuration Audits (PCA), Production Readiness Reviews (PRR), and other program reviews as required.
• Support development of technical briefings, reports, schedules, risk management plans, and executive-level decision materials.

Program Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct analyses of aviation operational processes, maintenance programs, certification activities, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Develop recommendations to improve operational effectiveness, safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with Government organizations, military units, test agencies, aviation authorities, and external mission partners.
• Prepare and present findings, briefings, reports, and recommendations to senior Government leadership.

Required Qualifications

Specialized Experience

• Extensive knowledge of FAA airworthiness certification processes and operational approval requirements.
• Knowledge of aircraft operational processes, mission planning, dispatch operations, and aviation safety management systems.
• Experience with FAA continuous airworthiness requirements, Continuous Analysis and Surveillance Systems (CASS), and Continuous Airworthiness Management Programs (CAMP).
• Knowledge of global airspace navigation procedures, aircraft communication and navigation systems, and international operational requirements.
• Familiarity with FAA and EASA regulatory frameworks and rulemaking processes.
• Knowledge of commercial and military aviation organizations, regulatory agencies, and industry standards.
• Experience supporting FAA compliance, certification, operational approvals, or aviation safety oversight programs.
• Familiarity with air refueling operations and associated mission planning processes.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Former FAA Pilot.
• Former FAA Aircraft Dispatcher.
• Former FAA Part 183 Operations Inspector.
• Former FAA Airworthiness Safety Inspector.
• Experience supporting FAA FAR Part 121 operations.
• Experience supporting military aviation programs and DoD acquisition environments.
• Experience developing or managing CAMO, CAMP, or CASS programs.
• Experience supporting aircraft certification and operational approval efforts for specialized or modified aircraft.

Education and Experience Requirements

One of the following combinations is required:

Option 1

• Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering, Business, Management, Operations, or related field; and
• Twelve (12) years of relevant professional experience, including at least five (5) years supporting DoD programs.

Option 2

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Aviation, Aerospace, Engineering, Business, Management, Operations, or related field; and
• Fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience, including at least five (5) years supporting DoD programs.

Option 3

• Twenty (20) years of directly related aviation, certification, airworthiness, flight operations, regulatory compliance, or operational management experience with applicable professional certifications; and
• At least eight (8) years supporting DoD programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of FAA regulations, certification processes, and operational requirements.
• Strong understanding of aviation safety management, airworthiness, and operational risk management.
• Ability to evaluate complex aviation regulatory and operational issues and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent analytical, technical writing, briefing, and communication skills.
• Ability to interface effectively with senior Government officials, FAA representatives, OEMs, and industry stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and aviation-related management systems.
• Ability to support multiple concurrent projects in a dynamic acquisition and operational environment.

Security Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance, as required by contract.
• U.S. Citizenship required.