Director, Emerging Aviation Technology

Aerospace Industries Association•Arlington, VA

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Responsibilities

Responsible for addressing all efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, including the Brand New Air Traffic System.
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.
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.
Coordinates the activities of committees, subcommittees and working groups established to address U.S. and international policies and regulatory issues within area of focus.
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.
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.