Chief Pilot

Job Description

Job Description

Chief Pilot

Location: Huntsville, AL and overseas customer location

Position Status: Full Time

Travel Requirement: International travel required/ extended deployments

Brief Job Description:

The Chief Pilot is responsible for the overall management, supervision, and execution of flight operations to ensure the highest standards of safety, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. This position provides leadership and oversight of pilot personnel, flight procedures, training programs, and operational readiness. The Chief Pilot serves as the primary aviation subject matter expert and works closely with executive leadership, maintenance personnel, regulatory authorities, and operational stakeholders to support organizational objectives and mission requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all flight operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant mission execution.
• Supervise the recruitment, selection, training, qualification, and performance evaluation of pilot personnel.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), flight manuals, and operational guidance.
• Conduct or oversee flight proficiency evaluations, check-rides, and recurrent training programs to ensure pilot competency.
• Manage crew scheduling, qualifications, currency requirements, and fatigue risk management programs.
• Monitor flight operations to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, company policies, contractual requirements, and industry best practices.
• Serve as the primary liaison with civil aviation authorities, regulatory agencies, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Support aircraft certification, operational approvals, audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities.
• Advise executive leadership regarding aircraft procurement, fleet management, operational budgets, staffing requirements, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Oversee the Safety Management System (SMS) and promote a culture of continuous safety improvement throughout the organization.
• Lead risk assessment efforts and implement corrective actions to mitigate operational hazards.
• Participate in incident investigations, accident response activities, and emergency management efforts as the aviation technical subject matter expert.
• Coordinate closely with maintenance, logistics, operations, and support personnel to ensure aircraft availability and mission readiness.
• Develop operational reports, metrics, and recommendations for leadership review.
• Mentor and develop flight department personnel to support professional growth and succession planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret Security Clearance.
• Minimum of 11 years of progressively responsible aviation experience, including leadership and flight operations management responsibilities.
• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating (or equivalent military qualification).
• Demonstrated experience managing flight operations, pilot training programs, and aviation safety initiatives.
• Extensive knowledge of aviation regulations, flight operations, safety management systems, and risk management principles.
• Experience developing and implementing operational procedures, flight manuals, and training programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead diverse teams in dynamic operational environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and aviation management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate.
• Previous experience serving as a Chief Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, or equivalent aviation leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aeronautical Science, Aviation Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Military aviation leadership experience.
• Experience supporting government, defense, or special mission aviation operations.
• Experience managing multi-aircraft fleets and geographically dispersed flight operations.
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFII, and/or MEI credentials.

Physical Requirements:

Work may involve sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Position may require typing and reading from a computer screen. Must have sufficient mobility to include but not limited to: bending, reaching, climbing, turning, and kneeling to complete daily duties in a timely and efficient manner. There is a possibility that due to parking availability and location of work, walking moderate to long distances may be required. Must be able to lift, move, and transport items frequently over 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

Generally, work is conducted in an inside office environment, but may also involve some outside work depending on the task. The inside environment may be in an office or cubicle with close quarters, low to moderate noise, and bright or dim lighting. Outside work may include various environmental conditions including warm and cold climates and while on travel.

Axxeum, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. The company will provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment and all policies of the company.

At the time of hiring, employees are required to sign a written statement acknowledging that they are employed at the will of the company and are subject to termination at any time, for any reason, with or without notice, and with or without cause. Employees who do not have an individualized written employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement are employed at the will of the company and are subject to termination at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice. At the same time, these employees may terminate their employment at any time for any reasons.