Aviation Regulatory Affairs Manager

Rainmaker busca un Aviation Regulatory Manager para liderar el portfolio regulatorio federal de aviación y espectro, tanto en el lado operador como fabricante. La persona será responsable de redactar y gestionar autorizaciones de la FAA (COAs, LOAs, exenciones), licencias de la FCC, y documentación de aeronavegabilidad y Declaration of Compliance. También deberá asesorar a la dirección sobre implicaciones regulatorias y participar en organismos de estándares.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end drafting and shepherding of UAS flight authorizations, Certificates of Authorization (COAs), Letters of Agreement (LOAs), and FAA regulatory exemptions
• Develop Concept of Operations (CONOPs), Safety Risk Management (SRM) documentation, and operational risk assessments aligned with FAA acceptance criteria
• Engage directly with the FAA Flight Standards Service, UAS Integration Office, ATO, and applicable FSDOs, including pre-submission consultation, response to RFIs, and post-issuance compliance
• Prepare and submit FCC aircraft radio station licenses, experimental licenses, and any spectrum authorizations required by Rainmaker's command-and-control (C2) link architecture, payload telemetry, and ground-based systems
• Manage license renewals, modifications, and frequency coordination across all operating regions
• Partner with Engineering to ensure spectrum architecture decisions are compatible with available licensing pathways
• Own Rainmaker's manufacturer-side regulatory posture, including airworthiness documentation, Declaration of Compliance (DoC) preparation under the emerging Part 108 framework, and engagement with applicable ASTM and RTCA standards (F3442, F3705, DO-365, DO-381, and successors)
• Coordinate with Engineering and Quality on design data, test plans, and conformity documentation required to substantiate compliance claims
• Advise leadership on the regulatory implications of design decisions, certification pathways, and AS9100 readiness
• Track and analyze FAA rulemaking with material impact on Rainmaker, including Part 108 BVLOS, evolving airworthiness frameworks, and federal contracting prerequisites (American Security Drone Act, FAR 52.240-1, DoD Blue UAS Cleared List)
• Submit comments and participate in standards bodies, test site engagements , and industry working groups where Rainmaker's interests are at stake
• Brief leadership on regulatory developments and translate them into actionable implications for the business

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience preparing and shepherding FAA submissions for UAS operations through to issuance — flight authorizations, COAs, LOAs, regulatory exemptions, or equivalent
• Strong aviation background: former FAA personnel, military aviation officer, Part 121/135/137 chief pilot or director of operations, UAS program manager at a regulated operator, or aviation safety/SMS specialist
• Strong technical writing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate technical and operational realities into clear, persuasive regulatory submissions
• Working knowledge of Concept of Operations (CONOPs) development, Safety Risk Management (SRM) frameworks, and operational risk assessment methodologies aligned to FAA acceptance criteria
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to credibly engage FAA inspectors, FCC examiners, and external counsel
• Self-directed and comfortable operating with minimal guidance in a novel regulatory environment
• Willingness to travel for agency meetings, test site events, and on-site operational coordination as required

Nice to have

• Former FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, UAS Integration Office staff, or other direct FAA service
• Direct experience drafting and winning BVLOS authorizations, including operating concepts that incorporate ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA)
• Manufacturer-side regulatory experience: airworthiness documentation, type design, ASTM/RTCA standards engagement (F3442, F3705, DO-365, DO-381), or Declaration of Compliance work
• Familiarity with the Part 108 NPRM and emerging airworthiness frameworks for UAS production
• Familiarity with AS9100 and federal contracting prerequisites for UAS (American Security Drone Act, FAR 52.240-1, DoD Blue UAS Cleared List)
• Engineering or aviation safety background sufficient to engage technically with Engineering and Flight Operations on operating concept design and spectrum architecture
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (aviation, aerospace engineering, aviation management, atmospheric science, or related discipline); advanced degree or aviation law background a plus
• Existing relationships within the FAA UAS Integration Office, Flight Standards Service, or applicable FSDOs

Benefits

• Equity grant with meaningful upside as an early employee.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Daily lunch provided when working from our El Segundo headquarters.