Metrea, LLC | CL415 Chief Pilot

Head of Flight Operations / Aerial Firefighting Chief Pilot

Requisition ID: 1984

Employment Type

Full Time

Company Overview

Metrea is a defense company dedicated to translating commercial innovation into solutions for critical national security challenges. With deep mission expertise, Metrea focuses on delivering effects-as-a-service across various domains. Metrea Management comprises core capability groups – Air & Space, Electromagnetic & Cyber, Digital & Synthetic – and essential support functions, guiding the development of capabilities leveraged by Metrea's operational files, projects, and programs.

The Metrea Aerial Effects (MAFF) capability unit specializes in bringing the best technologies and tactics from wildland firefighting to high-fidelity, innovative, integrated aviation and training solutions. These solutions are meticulously tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of each customer, providing unique multi-mission capabilities.

Position Summary

Metrea Aerial Effects is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Head of Flight Operations, equivalent to an FAA Director of Flight Operations (DFO), an EASA nominated person for flight operations, or a CASA head of flying operations. This critical role, also serving as the Aerial Firefighting Chief Pilot, is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, compliant, and effective flight operations that meet the requirements of assigned files and missions within the company's structure.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in aerial firefighting, specifically involving multi-engine, long-term retardant application. Experience with DHC-8 tactical and low-level operations is highly desirable. This position is central to developing and implementing Aerial Firefighting (AFF) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) tailored to multi-mission capabilities, ensuring alignment with future platform advancements. The Head of Flight Operations holds overall responsibility for the pilot training and development program, supported by the Head of Training and Assistant Chief Pilot. Additionally, the role encompasses overall responsibility for ensuring all rostered and scheduled pilots are qualified and current, maintaining personal qualifications, and overseeing the internal Line Audit program.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Flight Operations leads and manages the flight operations department in accordance with the Metrea Management System and core values. Key responsibilities include:

• Recruiting, retaining, developing, and managing sufficient qualified and competent personnel within the flight operations department to ensure a deployable capability at a scale defined by the Aviation Senior Group (ASG) to meet file demands.
• Overseeing the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring appropriate change management, understanding, and acknowledgement by all affected flight operations crew.
• Maintaining compliant Operations Manuals and procedures, including Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs), ensuring document control, supervision, and approval of temporary revisions and staff notices.
• Ensuring the Flight Operations department is correctly resourced and schedules are managed for adequate and efficient supervision of flight operations and robust operational control, meeting agreed outputs with supported files.
• Providing guidance and direction on selecting and allocating suitable flight crew to meet Metrea File requirements.
• Promoting and actively implementing the Safety Management System (SMS).
• Applying safety and risk management best practices to assess and manage operational risks in accordance with the ASG SMS manual.
• Liaising with the Competent Authority on operational and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance with current legislation and the terms of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or other letters of authority, and maintaining a constructive regulatory relationship.
• Coordinating with the Ground Operations Manager to ensure adequate Operational Control and efficient, effective planning processes.
• Coordinating with the Head of Crew Training, contributing to flight crew training programs, and ensuring operational and training standards and developmental pathways are maintained and improved.
• Coordinating with the Continuing Airworthiness Manager, contributing to efficient practices in maintaining airworthiness standards.
• Coordinating with the Quality & Compliance Manager and Safety Manager to ensure robust compliance and safe practices are adhered to internally and with contracted organizations. This includes acting upon deficiencies affecting compliance or safety, promoting an effective safety reporting culture, and upholding a just culture.
• Attending Safety Review Board (SRB) meetings to monitor company safety performance and implement improvement actions.
• Attending or chairing Safety Action Groups (SAGs) and event review groups, assessing hazards, identifying and implementing risk mitigation, and supporting decision-making regarding acceptable risk levels and actions in accordance with a just culture.
• Maintaining operational metrics and routinely reporting performance and metrics from Flight Operations to the Aviation Manager (AM).
• Overseeing the training and monitoring of AFF crews, ensuring compliance with established procedures and safety standards. This includes collaborating with the Lead Mission Operator to ensure adequate and appropriate Crew Resource Management training for non-flying personnel essential to delivering multi-mission capabilities.
• Expanding and enhancing the DHC-8 AFF program, including assessing and integrating new technologies and capabilities.
• Collaborating with regulatory bodies to maintain compliance and ensure adherence to FAA / EASA standards.
• Providing mentorship and guidance to deputy pilots and experienced AFF crews, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
• Demonstrating exceptional communication skills and collaborating effectively within a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Candidates for the Head of Flight Operations position should possess the following qualifications:

• Practical experience and expertise in applying aviation safety standards and safe operating practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable safety regulations, associated requirements and procedures, the capability unit's operations specifications, and the need for and content of relevant parts of the unit’s operations manual.
• Familiarity with Management Systems (MSs), preferably in aviation.
• Appropriate management experience, preferably in a comparable organization.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including a minimum of 2 years from the aeronautical industry in an appropriate position.
• Extensive flying experience with multi-engine aircraft in an aerial firefighting capacity (>300 hours), with at least 200 hours specifically in water or retardant application missions.
• Possession of an FAA or EASA license is required. Experience with DHC-8-400 AFF is preferred.
• Alternatively, experience in AFF on another aircraft type (e.g., CL415, C-130, Bae-146/RJ, etc.) combined with DHC-8 300 experience will be considered.
• Previous experience in a Chief Pilot or Assistant Chief Pilot position within an organization having at least ten pilots is highly desirable.
• Must be capable of receiving a Canadian Foreign License Validation Certificate.
• Exceptional proficiency in English, both spoken and written.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, particularly in ambiguous situations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with limited supervision.

Our Culture

Metrea's single core value, "rooted in humility," is supported by four key attributes: entrepreneurial, systematic, discerning, and over-deliver. These attributes form the foundation of our Teammate Firmware, shaping our culture. They are explored during the hiring process, team growth, and continuous cultural development. Metrea operates as a hyper-collaborative, dynamically hierarchical organization united by a shared passion for its work, its process, its people, and its purpose.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare benefits
• Retirement Plan eligibility

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

As required by the role.

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea Aerial Effects LLC (MAFF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Daily working hours may vary in accordance with business needs. Non-Exempt employees may be required to work over 40 hours per week with approval from the department manager.

Travel

This position requires extensive travel, both domestic and international.

Work Location

Remote (Reports to MAFF)

Work Environment

Aircraft

Physical Demands

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some physical abilities may be required.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform the responsibilities outlined in this job description to a satisfactory standard. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with additional needs to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The role, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.