Lead Flight Test Operations Manager (All Genders)

Your Mission

As the Lead Flight Test Operations Manager at STARK, you are responsible for the successful execution of complex flight test campaigns across multiple platforms and international test ranges. You lead the operational planning and on-site execution of deployments, ensuring that crews, logistics, approvals, and field operations are fully aligned under demanding conditions.

You act as the central interface between internal teams, military authorities, customers, and host-nation agencies, while leading Operations Managers, Coordinators, and Field Operations Crews. From inert-flight to live-fire campaigns, you ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations at every stage.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of campaign execution across all platforms (Virtus, OWE-V), including range coordination, NOTAMs, EASA operational approvals, logistics, dangerous goods transportation, and crew planning.

• Leadership of the three operational sub-tracks: Operations Managers, Coordinators, and Field Operations Crew.

• Primary interface to WTD 61, WTD 91, TDW Range, customer program offices, and host-nation authorities for deployments in Kenya, Ukraine, and Sweden.

• Responsibility for the operational transition between inert-flight, static-fire, and end-to-end live-fire campaign phases.

Required Skills

• 8+ years of experience in flight test, military aviation, or aerospace operations, including 3+ years in a leadership role.

• Proven responsibility for multi-week field campaigns conducted on military or restricted ranges.

• Business-fluent German and English at C1 level or higher.

• Project management experience.

Nice-To-Have

• Former German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) background.

• ADR / IATA DGR certification.