The Senior FDM Specialist leads the organization’s flight data monitoring efforts, overseeing end-to-end analysis, strategic safety insights, regulatory compliance, and process improvements. This role is responsible for shaping the FDM strategy, ensuring high data integrity, supporting operational risk management, and mentoring junior analysts within the safety team.
FDM Program Leadership:
Lead and continuously improve the organization’s FDM program, including system architecture, ruleset management, data analysis protocols, and safety integration.
Advanced Data Analysis:
Conduct in-depth reviews of flight data to identify high-risk trends, operational hazards, and deviations from standard operating procedures.
Risk Identification & Mitigation:
Translate FDM findings into risk assessments and mitigation strategies. Collaborate with flight operations, engineering, and training departments to implement corrective actions.
Regulatory Compliance & Reporting:
Ensure FDM practices comply with ICAO Annex 6, FOQA/EASA standards, and national aviation authority regulations. Prepare detailed reports for internal and external audits.
Strategic Safety Insight:
Provide safety leadership by proactively identifying systemic issues and recommending operational or procedural changes to reduce safety risk.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Present findings and safety cases to senior management, safety review boards, and fleet teams. Serve as the primary contact for FDM-related initiatives.
Team Mentorship:
Supervise and mentor junior and mid-level analysts. Review their work, ensure analytical accuracy, and support professional development.
Technology & Innovation:
Evaluate and implement advanced FDM tools, machine learning techniques, and data visualization strategies to enhance analytical capabilities.
Safety Strategy Integration:
Align FDM insights with the organization’s overall Safety Management System (SMS) to influence safety policy, training, and procedures.
Fleet-wide Trend Analysis:
Identify systemic issues across the fleet—such as recurrent unstable approaches, exceedance rates, or procedural non-compliance.
Event Tuning & Data Quality:
Optimize event detection logic, thresholds, and filters to improve accuracy and relevance of FDM events.
Regulatory Alignment:
Lead efforts to meet or exceed international aviation safety mandates (FAA FOQA, EASA CAT.OP.MPA.195, ICAO Doc 10000).
Confidential Safety Culture:
Champion data confidentiality protocols to ensure pilot trust and protect sensitive flight data under ICAO Annex 13 guidelines.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Safety, Data Analytics, or a related discipline
7+ years of experience in flight data monitoring, aviation safety, or flight operations analysis
Advanced proficiency with FDM software platforms (e.g., GE FlightPulse, SAGEM, Flight Data Connect) and analytics tools (Python, MATLAB, Power BI, Excel)
Deep understanding of aircraft systems, flight mechanics, and operational risk
Strong knowledge of aviation safety regulations and SMS frameworks
Proven ability to present technical findings to executives and cross-functional teams
Experience managing projects, mentoring staff, and engaging with regulatory bodies
Airline or OEM experience preferred