Sr Manager, X-BAT Training & Readiness (R4995)

What you'll do:

• Design and implement the end-to-end training strategy for X-BAT operators, maintainers, and mission support personnel
• Define training pipelines aligned to system maturity, spanning development, flight test, deployment, and sustainment
• Establish training standards, certification frameworks, and readiness criteria to support operational excellence
• Ensure training systems are scaled with program growth and deployment needs
• Oversee development of structured training curricula, including operator qualification, mission planning and execution, maintenance, troubleshooting, and system education
• Translate complex system behaviors (autonomy, avionics, mission systems) into clear, digestible learning modules
• Ensure alignment between training materials, technical documentation, and real-world system configurations
• Partner with engineering and product teams to stay current on system updates, new capabilities, and limitations
• Integrate flight test insights and operational lessons learned into continuously evolving training content
• Collaborate with operations teams to validate training effectiveness in mission environments
• Work closely with technical writers to ensure consistency across training and documentation
• Define and implement modern training methodologies, including simulation-based training, scenario-driven mission exercises, and blended learning approaches
• Evaluate and integrate training technologies such as simulators, virtual environments, and AI-assisted tools
• Ensure training supports both individual proficiency and team-based mission execution
• Develop metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess training effectiveness and operator readiness
• Establish certification processes, checkrides, and proficiency benchmarks
• Continuously refine training based on performance data, mission feedback, and system updates
• Maintain alignment between training content and evolving system baselines
• Rapidly update training materials in response to flight test results, software releases, hardware changes, and operational feedback
• Support fielded units with ongoing training, refresher programs, and updates
• Manage training knowledge systems, ensuring content is structured, version-controlled, and accessible
• Build repeatable processes for maintaining and distributing training materials
• Identify gaps in training coverage and proactively develop solutions

Required qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in aviation training, military training systems, instructional design, or technical training for complex systems
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Engineering, Instructional Design, Technical Communication, or a related field
• Experience developing training programs for advanced systems (aircraft, UAV/UAS, autonomy, or similar)
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, mission operations, or autonomous platforms
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into effective training experiences
• Experience working cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and product teams
• Familiarity with instructional design principles and training system development
• Strong self-sufficient work ethic with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and consistency across training materials and programs
• Ability to identify missing, ambiguous, or incomplete information and drive clarity
• Comfort working across time zones and distributed teams
• Eagerness to work in a fast-moving, nontraditional defense and aerospace environment

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in military aviation, flight operations, or mission planning environments
• Familiarity with DoD training frameworks, standards, or qualification programs
• Experience with simulation-based training systems or virtual/augmented training environments
• Experience building certification pipelines, readiness frameworks, or operator qualification programs
• Defense industry experience
• Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Aviation, Engineering, or a related field
• Project management experience supporting complex, cross-functional programs
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled tools to enhance training development and delivery