Regulatory Compliance Principal

Aireon deployed the world’s first global space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time aircraft monitoring capabilities around the world, including over the poles, over the oceans and in remote areas. Aireon data enables safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly aviation travel, resulting in significant CO2 emission reductions. More than 20 Air Navigation Service Providers representing more than 40 countries – including NAV CANADA, NATS (UK), Air Traffic and Navigation Services (South Africa), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and ASECNA (Africa) -- rely on Aireon data to navigate aircraft in their airspaces. We are committed to offering an employment experience and benefits package that enables you and your family to grow with us and to share in our success. Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities Reporting to the Sr. Director of Safety Assurance, the Regulatory Compliance Principal is specifically responsible for the conduct of activities pertaining to the continued certification of the Aireon ATS Service, and Aireon as an Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Regulatory Compliance Principal plays an integral role in ensuring Aireon’s continued compliance with EASA regulations, facilitating appropriate communication with EASA on matters relating to certification, compliance monitoring and response, and shaping Aireon’s position with regards to future EASA NPAs on existing or proposed regulations that may affect Aireon. Through their close interaction with other safety & compliance professionals, the Regulatory Compliance Principal will ensure that the application of, and compliance with, all enterprise level policies and procedures as applied within Aireon, are consistent with regulatory requirements, and ensure that the Regulatory Requirement project on JIRA is regularly reviewed and updated accordingly. What You’ll Do Ensure that Aireon’s continued compliance with EASA regulations (specifically EU 2017/373) is correctly documented through the JIRA project, reviewed and modified as needed, ensuring evidence statements accurately reflect demonstration of compliance and are updated in accordance with identified changes. Provide appropriate level oversight and guidance of Part-IS implementation (EASA Regulation (EU) 2022/1645) and assist in the development of the DPO certification application (EASA Regulations (EU) 2023/1769 and 2023/1768.). Ensure that procedures and documentation are compliant with international standards and regulations as defined by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), National Supervisory Authorities (NSA) and others as appropriate. Proactively assess and prepare a consequent proposed position statement for Aireon regarding any EASA notices of proposed amendment (NPAs) or other affecting regulatory changes. Thereafter lead any agreed activity in response to such NPAs. In conjunction with the Aireon QA team, manage and perform internal aviation safety audits against identified regulations both within Aireon and across our contracted services, encouraging partnerships with international air navigation service providers and other aviation stakeholders. Deliver safety and quality audit training to Aireon Team personnel when requested. Promote a strong safety culture in leading by example. Oversee the design and test methodologies to assure these are fit for purpose and deliver appropriate evidence to support compliance. Represent Aireon at various decision-making forums when requested. Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Required Qualifications A bachelor's degree, or professional equivalent, in an aviation related field, aviation safety management, quality management, systems engineering or aeronautical engineering Minimum of ten years background in a highly regulated environment such as an air traffic management safety program or air traffic surveillance technology area within an ANSP or Airline Operator, Regulator or NSA, with practical experience of ADS-B and/or Mode S a definite advantage Detailed knowledge of EU Aviation Safety Regulation and its application Detailed understanding of Risk Management and its importance to safety Previous experience in software assurance standards and methodologies (i.e. RTCA DO-278A, RTCA DO-178 or the European equivalents), specifically assurance derivation, integration and test Audit techniques certification completion or lead auditors’ qualification, reinforced with experience on the lead and conduct of audits Highly knowledgeable in international aviation regulations (specifically European Commission Regulation No 2017/373) Desired Qualifications Aviation quality qualification or equivalent (e.g. ICAO certification) Knowledgeable in international aviation safety standards (e.g. ICAO standards and recommended practices such as Annex 19 on Safety Management) as well as quality management principles Software coding knowledge (C++, Java) Software safety assurance (e.g. RTCA DO-278A) knowledge Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Basic understanding of system safety and how to apply it Practical experience of application of SMS and QMS programs in an aviation environment. Knowledge of the policy, concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to ICAO recommended Safety Risk Management (SRM) process About You You are the kind of professional who thrives at the intersection of deep technical knowledge and regulatory precision — someone who can navigate a complex, multi-jurisdictional compliance environment with confidence and credibility. You are a regulatory authority. You bring deep, working knowledge of EASA regulations — including EU 2017/373, EU 2022/1645 (Part-IS), and related ATM/ANS frameworks — and you know how to translate regulatory language into practical, auditable compliance actions. You are detail-obsessed. Whether you're reviewing an evidence statement in a compliance tracker, drafting a response to an EASA NPA, or preparing for an internal audit, your attention to detail is your professional signature. You don't let things fall through the cracks. You are a confident communicator. You can brief a technical team on audit findings in the morning and present a regulatory risk summary to an executive team in the afternoon — adjusting your style, language, and depth to match your audience without losing accuracy. You think like a regulator and an operator. Your career has given you experience on both sides of the compliance relationship — you understand what regulators are looking for and how operational realities shape compliance programs. You use that perspective to build compliance approaches that are both rigorous and practical. You are proactive, not reactive. You don't wait for a regulatory change to land before you start thinking about its implications. You monitor the horizon, assess impact early, and bring recommended positions and responses to leadership before they become urgent. You are an audit leader. You've led internal and/or external aviation safety audits — you know how to plan, conduct, document, and follow up on findings in a way that drives genuine improvement, not just checkbox compliance. You are a collaborative team player. You understand that safety and compliance are a shared organizational responsibility. You work across teams — Engineering, Operations, Legal, QA — with patience, clarity, and a partnership mindset. You are a safety culture ambassador. Safety isn't just a job function for you — it's a professional value. You lead by example, speak up when something doesn't look right, and actively contribute to an environment where safety is everyone's priority. You are comfortable with ambiguity and complexity. Operating in a fast-moving, first-of-its-kind space-based surveillance environment means that not every regulatory question has a clear precedent. You bring the analytical rigor and sound judgment to navigate grey areas with confidence. You are a global citizen. You are comfortable working across time zones and cultures — engaging with ANSPs, regulators, and aviation stakeholders from Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond — and you understand the nuances that come with multinational regulatory environments. 1-3-6-12 Month Plan In the first month we’ll expect you to… Orient, Absorb & Establish a Foundation The focus in the first month is immersion. We want you to deeply understand Aireon's business, its regulatory environment, and the people and systems you'll depend on. Onboarding & Culture Complete all Aireon HR, IT, and security onboarding requirements Meet with your manager (Sr. Director, Safety Assurance) and VP, Safety & Compliance to align on expectations, communication cadence, and near-term priorities Attend key team meetings to understand how the Safety & Compliance team operates and collaborates across Engineering and Operations Understanding the Business & Regulatory Landscape Familiarize yourself with Aireon's EASA certification documentation — including the existing ANSP approval, Part-ATM/ANS certification basis, and associated compliance records Review Aireon's current status under EASA Regulation (EU) 2022/1645 (Part-IS) and the in-progress DPO certification application under Regulations (EU) 2023/1769 and 2023/1768 Familiarize yourself with Aireon's JIRA Regulatory Requirements project — understanding the current state, structure, and backlog of items Review existing internal safety and quality documentation, including the Safety Management System (SMS) and Quality Management System (QMS) frameworks Stakeholder Mapping Meet with key internal stakeholders: QA team, Engineering, Legal, and Operations leads Understand the contracted service providers and their compliance obligations to Aireon Identify the current points of contact at EASA and any other relevant national regulators Tools & Systems Gain access to and proficiency with JIRA, Confluence/SharePoint, and the Microsoft Office environment used by the team Identify any gaps or blockers in tool access or process documentation that need to be addressed At 3 months we’ll expect you to… Engage, Assess & Begin Contributing At 3 months, we expect you to be actively contributing — identifying gaps, building relationships, and taking ownership of defined workstreams. EASA Compliance & JIRA Complete a comprehensive review of the JIRA Regulatory Requirements project and produce a written gap assessment identifying compliance items requiring updated evidence statements, missing documentation, or items requiring regulatory clarification Develop and present to the Sr. Director a prioritized remediation roadmap for JIRA compliance items Part-IS & DPO Certification Take ownership of tracking and advancing the Part-IS implementation (EU 2022/1645), coordinating with relevant internal teams to document evidence and close open items Begin active contribution to the DPO certification application, working alongside QA, Legal and Engineering (as necessary) to ensure regulatory accuracy and completeness of application materials NPA / Regulatory Change Awareness Review and revise if needed, the process for monitoring EASA NPAs, rulemaking activities, and other regulatory developments affecting Aireon Produce your first regulatory horizon-scanning summary report for leadership, flagging any NPAs or regulatory changes requiring Aireon's attention or response Internal Relationships Establish a regular working rhythm with the Aireon QA team to align on audit planning, audit preparation activities, and shared compliance priorities Build effective working relationships with counterparts at key ANSPs (e.g., NAV CANADA, NATS, AAI, ASECNA) At 6 months we’ll expect you to… Lead, Execute & Demonstrate Value At 6 months, we expect you to be operating with significant independence — leading compliance activities, conducting audits, and shaping Aireon's regulatory posture. EASA Compliance Management Demonstrate measurable progress against the compliance remediation roadmap established at month 3, with JIRA evidence statements reviewed, updated, and confirmed accurate against current operations Serve as Aireon's primary point of contact for day-to-day EASA compliance correspondence, ensuring timely and accurate responses to regulatory inquiries Audit Program Lead and complete at least one internal aviation safety audit against applicable EASA regulations — both within Aireon and, where applicable, across contracted service providers Produce audit findings reports with actionable corrective action recommendations, coordinating with QA and Engineering on resolution timelines Review and provide input for improvement to the Aireon internal auditor safety and quality audit training module NPA & Regulatory Advocacy Be prepared to author at least one formal Aireon position statement or comment submission in response to an active EASA NPA or regulatory change affecting Aireon's certification basis Brief leadership on Aireon's regulatory risk exposure and proposed response strategies Part-IS & DPO Progress Ensure Part-IS implementation evidence package is substantially complete and ready for EASA review Support submission milestones for the DPO certification application, coordinating across technical and regulatory workstreams Culture & Leadership Actively promote Aireon's safety culture through visible behavior, communications, and team participation Begin mentoring junior members of the Safety & Compliance team on regulatory compliance practices At 12 months we’ll expect you to… Own, Influence & Elevate At 12 months, you are the recognized internal authority on EASA regulatory compliance. You are proactively shaping Aireon's regulatory strategy, driving the compliance program forward, and elevating the entire organization's regulatory maturity. Strategic Regulatory Ownership Own and maintain a fully up-to-date, auditor-ready JIRA Regulatory Requirements project — with evidence statements accurately reflecting current compliance status across all applicable EASA regulations Produce an annual regulatory compliance report for VP-level and executive leadership, summarizing compliance status, audit outcomes, regulatory changes absorbed, and risk areas requiring attention EASA Relationship & Advocacy Establish yourself as a trusted, credible counterpart to EASA — facilitating proactive, professional dialogue on certification, compliance monitoring, and emerging regulatory topics Represent Aireon at relevant EASA, ICAO, or industry forums as assigned, and debrief leadership on outcomes and implications Lead Aireon's formal response strategy to any NPAs or regulatory changes identified during the year, including drafting comment submissions and engaging external stakeholders as needed Certification Milestones Support successful EASA validation or acceptance milestones for Part-IS implementation and DPO certification application Identify any near-term certification renewals, audits, or regulatory reviews and ensure Aireon is fully prepared Audit & Training Program Maturity Provide a regulatory compliance flavor to the established, risk-based annual internal audit schedule, aligned with EASA requirements and Aireon's SMS/QMS frameworks Team & Culture Impact Be recognized as a champion of Aireon's safety culture — modeling leadership behaviors that reinforce safety as a core value Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Safety & Compliance team's tools, processes, and documentation standards Provide input on future hiring needs, team structure, and capability development to the VP, Safety & Compliance A note from your hiring manager: This role is central to Aireon's continued operation as a globally certified ANSP. The regulatory landscape we operate in — particularly under EASA — is complex, evolving, and consequential. We're looking for someone who brings deep expertise, sound judgment, and the drive to not just maintain compliance, but to elevate how Aireon engages with the regulatory community. By the end of your first year, we expect you to be an indispensable voice in how Aireon navigates its regulatory future. About the Team We are a small, high-impact team. The Safety & Compliance function at Aireon is lean by design — every member carries meaningful ownership and contributes directly to Aireon's ability to operate as a globally certified ANSP. There is no bureaucratic layer between your work and its impact on the business. We report into Engineering & Operations. Our team sits at the heart of Aireon's operational and technical environment, giving us direct visibility into — and influence over — how safety and compliance considerations are embedded into the systems and services we deliver. We are globally distributed and remote-first. Team members work across multiple time zones and geographies, reflecting the global nature of Aireon's customer base and regulatory obligations. We have built a culture of disciplined asynchronous communication alongside regular live collaboration. We stay connected through structured touchpoints. The team connects regularly through scheduled team meetings, one-on-one check-ins with the Sr. Director of Safety Assurance, and cross-functional working sessions with Engineering, QA, and Operations. We lean on tools like Confluence, SharePoint, and JIRA to keep work visible and coordinated across time zones. We work at the frontier of aviation. Aireon operates the world's first global space-based ADS-B surveillance system — there is no direct regulatory precedent for everything we do. That makes our compliance work genuinely intellectually challenging and professionally rewarding. We are helping to define what best practice looks like in this space. We are trusted advisors, not gatekeepers. Our team's philosophy is to be partners to the business — helping Aireon teams understand regulatory requirements, identify risks early, and build compliance into their processes rather than bolt it on at the end. We are respected across the organization because we add value, not just oversight. We are EASA-focused but internationally minded. While EASA certification is a primary regulatory anchor for this role, our work touches ICAO standards, regulator relationships across more than 40 countries, and a customer base spanning every major region of the world. Broad aviation regulatory literacy is valued and developed here. We take safety culture seriously. Safety isn't a slogan at Aireon — it is embedded in how we make decisions, how we communicate risk, and how we hold ourselves accountable. You'll find a team that genuinely lives these values, not just reports on them. Aireon is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.