The Boeing Company | Chief Pilot

Chief of Safety

About Boeing

At Boeing, the mission is to innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. The company is steadfastly committed to fostering an environment for every team member that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive, offering significant opportunities for professional growth. Prospective candidates are invited to explore their future with an organization at the forefront of aerospace innovation.

The Opportunity

Boeing Test & Evaluation (BT&E) is seeking an exceptionally qualified and highly motivated Chief of Safety. This pivotal role is responsible for avidly leading a high-performing team of Flight Safety Officials while simultaneously maturing and continuously improving Safety Management System (SMS) processes within BT&E Flight Operations. This critical position can be based in either Seattle, WA, or North Charleston, SC.

As a high-visibility position, the Chief of Safety will routinely collaborate with Boeing senior leadership across various business units throughout the Enterprise. The successful candidate will expertly leverage the SMS's four components to proactively identify and mitigate flight operations risk exposures across commercial and military production environments, as well as in experimental flight test. This role necessitates consistent safety collaboration with key business partners in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Quality Assurance (QA), Manufacturing, and Delivery Center Operations, alongside global commercial flight operations. The BT&E Chief of Safety is expected to consistently demonstrate and promote all Boeing Values, thereby promulgating a positive safety culture within BT&E and the broader Enterprise.

Beyond maintaining qualifications as a flight crew member (e.g., pilot, system operator), the Chief of Safety will provide essential support to managers and teammates for all safety risk management activities. Additional SMS duties include the avid promotion of Boeing’s esteemed safety reporting programs, such as the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Speak-Up, and Enablon.

Position Responsibilities

The Chief of Safety will be entrusted with a comprehensive range of duties, including:

• Actively promoting and sustaining a robust and positive safety culture.
• Providing daily leadership and hands-on support for the implementation and continuous improvement of the Boeing Test & Evaluation (BT&E) Safety Management System (SMS), Flight Operations 14 CFR Part 125 voluntary SMS, the BT&E UK aviation SMS, and the 14 CFR Part 142 flight simulator campuses.
• Supporting SMS activities across flight test, lab test, Global Engagement & Training, and flight operations, including thorough safety risk assessments and investigations.
• Collaborating effectively across diverse program disciplines within a very dynamic, fast-paced development and test environment to foster test excellence and mishap prevention.
• Developing and managing comprehensive safety assurance activities, including the rigorous auditing of critical safety processes.
• Overseeing all aviation safety reporting programs across BT&E.
• Promoting safety through targeted training initiatives, informative newsletters, and the creation of compelling promotional materials, such as posters and content for the BT&E SMS website.
• Managing BT&E SMS policy material, including the development of written safety guidance such as BPIs, BPGs, and SAFE documents.
• Sharing SMS data with business partners to enhance overall business efficiency and elevate Enterprise safety, quality, and compliance standards.
• Developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to accurately measure the health and effectiveness of the safety system.
• Maintaining and maturing an aircraft accident/incident emergency response plan, conducting periodic comprehensive drills that interface seamlessly with external business units.
• Acting as the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) focal, ensuring the program is effectively utilized for relevant information reporting and understanding safety trends.
• Collaborating with Enterprise SMS counterparts to glean insights from their reporting and ensure high-hazard issues are appropriately elevated.
• Routinely collaborating with Quality Assurance (QA) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) counterparts.
• Leading and actively participating in incident investigations, as well as root cause and corrective action analyses.
• Delivering compelling oral and written presentations to peers, program management, senior leadership, customers, and regulatory agencies.
• Performing aircrew duties, including conducting production/acceptance flights, accurately documenting aircraft discrepancies, and coordinating production aircraft certification efforts.
• Developing and executing integrated departmental plans, policies, and procedures, providing essential input on departmental safety and technical strategies, goals, and objectives.
• Managing, developing, mentoring, and evaluating safety experts within BT&E.
• Conducting effectiveness reviews to verify that corrective actions are implemented and operating as intended.
• Leading SMS Safety Action Group (SAG) meetings.
• Leveraging the Boeing Problem Solving Model (BPSM) and Bowtie risk analysis tools to conduct thorough risk analysis, identify underlying root causes, and develop effective mitigations.
• Utilizing metrics and data analytics to proactively identify focus areas from a safety risk and mitigation standpoint.

Required Qualifications (Basic Skills/Experience)

Candidates must meet the following essential criteria:

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in aviation safety.
• Proven experience as a flight crew member (e.g., pilot, system operator).
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 15%.
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Graduate of a recognized safety management school certification class, or a Bachelor’s degree or higher in aviation safety management or a similar, relevant field.
• Expert-level knowledge and demonstrated practical experience in developing and implementing SMS programs compliant with FAA regulations and advisory circulars, including 14 CFR Part 5 and AC 120-92D.
• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated practical experience in developing, implementing, and managing aviation emergency response plans, including conducting periodic comprehensive drills that interface with external business units.
• Documented experience investigating aviation safety events.
• Possession of an FAA ATP or Commercial certificate with the appropriate endorsements.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, capable of conveying complex safety information clearly and concisely.
• Experience performing analyses, producing comprehensive reports, writing engaging newsletters, and creating other effective safety promotional materials.
• Demonstrated experience presenting compelling oral and written system safety and risk presentations to peers, program management, and executive leadership.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

Highly desirable skills and experiences that will set a candidate apart include:

• Working knowledge and practical application of Regulatory Article (RA) 1200: Air Safety Management.
• Experience serving as a Flight Safety Official, Aviation Safety Official (ASO), or Aviation Safety Investigator (ASI).
• Comprehensive experience with aircraft systems, flight test operations, test safety protocols, aviation safety programs, and test hazard analysis.
• Extensive experience in accident and incident investigations and root cause analysis.

Compensation and Benefits

Boeing offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to attract, engage, and retain top talent. The summary pay range for this position is $175,950 – $254,150, based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and market considerations.

Eligible employees are provided the opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, which generally include health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. Specific programs and options may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Additional Employment Details

• Drug Free Workplace: Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in company policies.
• Pilot Records Database: All pilots will be screened through the current pilot records database process.
• Export Control Requirements: This position requires meeting export control compliance requirements; a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. This includes U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent required.
• Relocation: This position offers relocation assistance based on candidate eligibility.
• Visa Sponsorship: Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
• Shift: This position is for the 1st shift.