Assistant Professor and Director of Flight Operations

Job Description

The Opportunity

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest and most respected aviation and aerospace university, invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor and Director of Flight Operations in the Aerospace Career Academy program at the Daytona Beach Campus.

This faculty leadership position is ideal for an experienced aviation educator and flight operations professional who is passionate about advancing collegiate aviation education while ensuring the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and instructional excellence. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of the University's Academic Career Academy (ACA) flight programs and collaborate with faculty and partner schools to deliver exceptional educational experiences for students pursuing careers in aviation.

Position Overview

The Assistant Professor and Director of Flight Operations is responsible for the management, administration, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory compliance of all Embry-Riddle Academic Career Academy (ACA) flight programs. This includes oversight of:

• Private Pilot Ground School (AS 121/ASCI 121)
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS/UNSY) coursework
• Remote Pilot Operations (FAA Part 107)

The Director ensures compliance with all applicable FAA regulations governing flight instruction and unmanned aircraft operations throughout the ACA network. The position provides leadership in instructional quality, curriculum alignment, faculty development, accreditation compliance, and student safety while serving as the University's primary liaison to partner school flight faculty.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Aerospace, Education, or a closely related field.
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or FAA Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) and/or Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) certification (or Basic Flight Instructor, as applicable).
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command Certificate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FAA regulations governing flight instruction and unmanned aircraft operations.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and external educational partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership or administrative experience in collegiate aviation or flight training.
• Experience managing FAA-compliant aviation education programs.
• Teaching experience in higher education.
• Experience with curriculum development, assessment, and accreditation processes.
• Familiarity with dual-enrollment or secondary aviation education programs.
• Experience supporting faculty development and instructional quality initiatives.
• Commitment to student success, aviation safety, and continuous improvement.

Application process/requirements

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R312294. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full CV
• Statements of teaching philosophy
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website. 

Embry-Riddle does not accept unsolicited assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. Agencies interested in partnering with the University should contact [email protected] and should not contact hiring managers or other University employees directly.

To preserve the integrity and authenticity of our hiring process, candidates are expected to participate without AI-assisted coaching, real-time response generation, or recording during interviews or assessments. Embry-Riddle does not use AI to automatically screen, rank, or select candidates.