Shape the Future of Flight with Calspan

Calspan is the leading independent provider of testing and technology development services across the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. Our unmatched expertise and specialized testing capabilities empower innovators to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.

At our state-of-the-art 80,000 sq. ft. hangar facility located at Niagara Falls International Airport (KIAG), Calspan operates a full-service flight test organization. Our dedicated team of experimental test pilots, engineers, mechanics, and technicians is equipped to bring bold ideas to life using our fleet of jet-powered airborne testbeds.

We’re currently seeking a seasoned leader to join our team as Director, Operations. In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee all aspects of flight operations—including engineering, project management, aircraft maintenance and modification, flight test execution, and related support functions.

At Calspan, we believe in being selective in joining and difficult to leave. Our culture is built on inclusiveness, accountability, and innovation. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of aerospace technology, we invite you to Be Calspan.

Core Responsibilities Listed Below – Compensation and position level commensurate with education and experience.

Manage in alignment with our Company Values. Lead with the intent to create a respectful and healthy work culture that embraces inclusion. Create awareness in others of their abilities; involve others and share authority in planning and decision-making; challenge the Team and provide support by allowing them to take appropriate risks. Create an environment where others feel ownership of the results and are comfortable taking action to achieve their desired outcomes. Provide timely, constructive feedback regarding performance with a commitment to motivate, train, and develop. Manage administrative responsibilities and assume full responsibility for the accomplishments of department functions.

Provide overall operational leadership

• Engage with all departments regularly to ensure efficient and effective operational processes and tools are in place and are being used correctly
• Closely monitor overhead and facility expenses to ensure adherence to annual budgets and look for opportunities to reduce expenses.
• Work closely with other leaders on the ops team within Flight to achieve a state of constant, continuous improvement. This could include, but is not limited to:
  • 5S activities in both the office area and the hangar
  • New tools or processes for engineering teams to improve efficiency or quality of deliverables.
  • New tools or GSE in the hangar
  • Training for engineers, mechanics, and technicians
  • Overhead projects for improving the capability and maintainability of flights fleet of experimental airplanes.
• Formally identify opportunities to reduce expenses or improve efficiency as productivity projects where appropriate.
• Provide crisis management leadership when needed by giving clear direction and maintaining a calm and collected demeanor.
• Support recruiting and retaining talented aerospace professionals by creating an environment where open communication and collaboration are championed, and clear and honest feedback is not withheld.

Oversee project execution activities from contract award through closeout

• Provide guidance and direction to project managers to ensure adherence to project plans, schedules and budgets throughout all phases of project execution. Ensure the team achieves all deliverable outputs of each phase.  Provide project methodology expertise and guidance to project teams.
• Lead and direct the multi-disciplinary operational engineering processes. Identify and implement workforce efficiencies and forecast labor needs to support the various customer programs. 
• Track significant customer interactions like design reviews or flight test activities and ensure the team is properly prepared to provide a high level customer experience.
• Monitor financial and contractual engagements across the portfolio of projects and intervene as needed to remove roadblocks.

Lead Operations planning efforts across the business 

• Support the sales team with execution plans and cost estimates for business pursuits.
• Attend pre-award technical meetings with potential customers or delegate to SMEs on the ops team.
• Continuously track resource availability throughout the business and understand the impact of future awards.
• Track total revenue across the business for on-contract orders and future wins.

Drive the Calspan values into the organization by incorporating them into daily activities

• Always treat coworkers, customers and vendors with professionalism and respect.
• Work to maintain an environment where collaboration and constructive dialogue is a natural element to everyday operations.
• Maintain a positive attitude and focus on moving forward when issues arise.
• Be an advocate for Calspan and direct focus to the task at hand when faced with negativity due to schedule pressure or shifting priorities.
• Demonstrate accountability by meeting deadlines for deliverables even when there is significant operational activity.
• Recognize that all operational activity is ultimately your responsibility.
• Drive innovation by striving for excellence in all phases of project execution.
• Support the pursuit of challenging new opportunities that add capability to the organization and fit within the business objectives.

Preferred Education / Experience:

• Bachelors/Masters Degree in a related discipline
• 10+ years in related discipline
• Project Management Certification
• Previous experience in a leadership/ management position or;
• A combination of education and experience equivalent to the above
• Due to security requirements, U.S. citizenship is required

Preferred Knowledge / Ability:

• Financial procedures and systems, preferably in the Aerospace industry
• Thorough understanding of program phases and related analysis and reporting
• Strong understanding of program financial analysis and reporting
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Why join Calspan?

Be Calspan Culture

At Calspan, we promote an environment that empowers employees and encourages innovation. Our management team enables a strong sense of teamwork with each endeavor, where successes are shared and lessons are learned. The company’s talent brand, “Be Calspan”, incorporates our company values to Be Inclusive, Accountable, and Innovative, and our commitment to drive every individual to Be Developed, Be Balanced, Be Connected, Be Community, and Be Recognized. Our culture promotes a positive atmosphere and a competitive can-do method of action.

Great Benefits = Happy, Committed Employees 

Retaining great talent is as important as finding it, so at Calspan, we take our employee value proposition of Be Calspan quite seriously. To us, that means offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, recognition programs and promotional opportunities. Our benefits include: Health Insurance, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, 401(k), Hospital Coverage, Accident Coverage, Life Insurance Policy, Paid-Time Off, Company-paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty, Military Leave, Employee Assistance Program, Educational Assistance Reimbursement, and Pet Insurance.

Calspan is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Calspan supports safe and drug free workplace through pre-employment background checks and drug testing.

The salary range provided is a general guideline. Actual pay will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, education, experience, training, and other applicable qualifications.  Calspan is committed to pay transparency in compliance with applicable state and local laws.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.