Director – Aviation Safety

What we do: 

Supernal is seeking an experienced and highly driven Director of Aviation Safety Assurance to develop, implement and lead our Aviation Safety Assurance team. Reporting to the Chief Safety and Quality Officer, this senior role is responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination, and execution of safety oversight activities across flight, testing operations, maintenance, manufacturing, and product development.
The Director will ensure full compliance with FAA regulatory standards and Advisory Circulars, not limited to FAA Part 5 Safety Management Systems (SMS), relevant parts of 21, aviation product certification requirements, Industry technical standards RTCA, SAE, ARP, ICAO, and company safety objectives.

What you can do:

• Develop, Implement, Lead and manage a cross-functional team of aviation safety professionals, including safety analysts safety engineers, aviation auditors, SMS specialists, and flight test safety leads
• Oversee and design and enhance the company's integrated safety system including the SMS, aligning closely with FAA Part 5 regulations, Product Safety Assurance, and Quality Management System (QMS) frameworks
• Direct the design, planning, execution, and follow-up of aviation safety audits, investigations, safety, and systems safety risk assessments
• Actively lead and participate in safety investigations, root cause analyses, safety risk assessments, and mitigation planning across maintenance, engineering, and flight test activities. Provide independent safety assurance assessments and validation of systems safety processes
• Develop, design, implment and oversee a structured aviation safety data analytics program, providing data-driven insights to guide executive-level decision-making
• Coordinate cross-functional safety assurance activities across flight test, manufacturing, and operational teams to meet certification requirements at commercial aviation standards (10⁻⁹ safety target)
• Monitor compliance with FAA Part 21, Part 5, FAA Order 8130.34D, and other applicable regulations and industry standards such as DO-178C, DO-254, DO-377A, DO-365A, SAE ARP-4754B - Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ARP-4761A - Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment
• Oversee implementation of aviation safety audits and internal assessments, ensuring a proactive approach to identifying risk areas and non-conformities
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Quality Assurance, EHS, Safety Systems Engineering, Flight Test, and Certification teams
• Provide regular reports and safety performance reviews to the Chief Safety and Quality Officer and senior leadership
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to maintain a world-class aviation safety culture
• Represent the company during regulatory audits, customer safety reviews, and certification audits as needed
• Other duties as assigned

What you can contribute:

• FAA certification as a Pilot (Commercial or ATP) or FAA-certified Aircraft Mechanic (A&P), or Military equivalent
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in aviation, commerical aviation or military aviation, with a strong focus on aviation safety, safety systems, flight operations, maintenance, or product certification
• Master’s Degree in Aviation, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Safety Systems, or a closely related discipline; PhD in Aviation Safety, Aviation Systems, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field preferred

You may also be able to contribute:

• Prior experience working in an aviation or aerospace manufacturing environment (OEM, MRO, or military equivalent).
• Recognized qualifications as a Lead Auditor (SMS/QMS) from a recognized organization (e.g., Flight Safety Foundation BARS Program, AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Deep working knowledge of:
  • FAA Part 5 SMS Requirements
  • FAA Part 21 Certification Procedures
  • FAA Order 8130.34D
  • DO-178C, DO-254 Software and Hardware Assurance Standards
  • RTCA DO-377A and DO-365A (Detect and Avoid Systems)
  • UAS/UAM Regulatory Frameworks, including eVTOL SFARs
  • SAE ARP-4754B, ARP-4761A
• Proven ability to manage large safety investigations and lead complex root cause analyses.
• Proficiency in safety data analytics platforms and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, safety databases).
• Strong technical writing, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams in a highly regulated environment.