Aviation Safety Inspector (Operations) (Air Carrier Operations)

This position is located in the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS), Flight Standards Service, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Research and Analysis Branch (AFS-430). The incumbent is the technical expert for the development of technical and scientific standards, programs, policies, procedures, and flight deck criteria pertaining to all aspects of 14 CFR Part 121 flight operations and advanced technologies in transport and non-transport category aircraft.

Plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging flight research projects and other work activities applying technical and operational knowledge. Initiates, organizes, and oversees major technical and scientific studies in safety critical and controversial problem areas having national and international ramifications. Areas such as the impact of flight display systems, advanced flight deck design, flight deck crewmember interface, instrument procedure design, instrument procedure charting, and air traffic airspace designs on aircraft operations under all weather conditions within the National Airspace System (NAS). Supports and aids in the development of special flight technical concepts, policies, standards, criteria, procedures, guidance and rules and recommends final approval or disapproval of operators, aircraft, and equipment for these operations. Determines the need for Federal Aviation requirements pertaining to navigation systems, flight procedures, and flight operations. Additionally, recommends research and development requirements for new or revised navigation systems, operational procedures and aircraft equipment and develops policy and criteria for use of these systems. Provides aviation safety oversight and surveillance work relative to flight operations and procedures in the NAS. Implements emerging CNS technology including new operational concepts, systems, equipment, and procedures for new aircraft, earth/space-based navigation and communications systems, airspace systems, or airport facilities and equipment, works to develop national procedures and policy. Uses in-depth technical expertise and high-level specialized knowledge to conceptual and advanced aircraft operational standards, flight guidance and management systems, flight display and avionics systems, procedure design, development initiatives, and operational approvals for flight procedures and technologies. Creates experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by traditional methods or precedents. Reviews and validates design principles, operational procedures, and guidance for flight crew systems, including evaluation of innovative crew interface and interaction concepts in piloted simulation to assess the benefits and liabilities of projected concepts. Identifies, develops, directs, and may conduct training for advanced flight technologies and flight procedures. Serves as a simulator project pilot assigned to critical, Agency-level research projects requiring intense system and pilot knowledge of Boeing and/or Airbus aircraft. Applies in-depth technical expertise related to FAA NextGen air traffic and flight operations applications. Reviews flight parameters through statistical applications in consideration of flight track data to determine individual and collective effect of measurable factors. Maintains knowledge of aircraft operations, usage of instrument approach charts, and interface of navigation systems with instrument operations. Possesses a high degree of competence using sophisticated research facilities, such as piloted aircraft simulators, in order to evaluate operational and procedural performance elements. Maintains knowledge of current government and industry research and development programs with emphasis on those pertaining to new aviation applications, procedures, and technologies. Performs other duties as assigned.

We are not accepting applications from noncitizens.