Director of Assurance

SkyGrid, a Boeing, Avathon Company, exists to open the sky for autonomous flight. Based in Austin, Texas, SkyGrid builds ground based high-assurance third-party services to enable the safe operations and airspace integration of highly automated and autonomous aircraft. SkyGrid also acts as a key operational nexus for advanced air mobility, integrating and managing data, infrastructure, access, and traffic to support seamless and efficient air traffic services.  The SkyGrid team is looking for a Director of Assurance, who will manage quality, safety, reliability, maintainability, cyber security, and certification organizations. This position reports directly to the CEO and ensures that company operating standards and product/program meet the assurance and certification standards. You will help define the regulatory strategy for certifying the system in relevant international location so you will interact with certification authorities and standard organizations. The ideal candidate will have a background in quality, safety, cyber security, or certification and be familiar with Quality Management System (QMS), Safety Management System (SMS), or Security Management System (SecMS) and associated standards such as AS9100 or NIST 800-53. You will be the principal owner of the processes, operating procedures, work instructions, enforcement for all things assurance and certification, and be a representative to the regulators. You will work closely with Engineering and Program organizations to define processes, methods, and enforce compliance.   Performance Objectives

Develop QMS, SMS, SecMS within the first year 

Ensure Cyber, Safety, and Quality corporate and product assurance is identified and reached 

Ensure compliance at the product/program level per planning document  

Manage teams and ensure staffing needs are identified 

Manage and report assurance and certification risks and elevated for resolution in a timely manner 

Streamline and align shared requirements and processes across the organization 

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate corporate level QMS, SMS, and SecMS through business pyramid 

Develop company policies, operating procedures, and work instructions  

Ensure audit process exists for compliance at company and product/program level 

Able to understand regulatory standards and decipher level of compliance required 

Identify company and program risks and communicate to relevant parties for timely resolution 

Act as a principal contact to regulatory authorities for assurance and certification 

Monitor new and novel standards that may be levied to the company or program 

Act as a mentor to team members and managers 

Hire and manage resources under assurance and certification organizations 

Represent the voice of regulator internally

Represent SkyGrid at industry organizations and events 

Local candidate is preferred but remote employment will be considered. 

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in STEM, MBA, or higher 

10+ years of experience working in a highly technical, aerospace-related industry 

5+ years of experience in quality, safety, reliability and maintainability, cyber security or certification 

Strong communication skills, self-driven, and capable of participating in regulatory focused discussions 

Managed multiple teams and worked in multi-disciplinary teams  

Familiar with Quality AS9100, Safety, Reliability and Maintainability ARP4761, Cyber Security NIST 800-53 or 800-171, or Certification 14 CFR Part 23, 25, 27 standards 

Must be a US person

Preferred Qualifications

Presenting concisely to large group of people including customers, regulatory authorities, internal technical groups, leadership team 

Willing to relocate to Austin 

Join Our Team and Enjoy Exceptional Benefits:

Comprehensive Health Coverage from Day One: Enjoy immediate access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, including HSA and FSA options.

Generous Retirement Contributions: Benefit from an automatic company 401k contribution program, with no match required, plus an additional company matching program to boost your retirement savings.

Calm Annual Membership: Prioritize your mental health with complimentary access to mindfulness and meditation resources.

Discounted ClassPass Membership: Stay active and healthy with access to thousands of fitness studios and gyms nationwide.

Investment in Your Growth: Receive an annual stipend for learning and development to support your continuous education and skill development

Engaging Team Activities: Participate in quarterly team-building events and celebrations organized by our dedicated culture committee.

Fully Stocked Kitchen: Enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages to keep you fueled throughout the day.