About The Company Metrea delivers effects-as-a-service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas, including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. Metrea is actively building its presence in Australia as part of a deliberate, globally coordinated expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, headquartered in Brisbane with an additional office in Perth.

Special Aviation Missions (Australia - AUS) Group (SAM) is one of two Groups responsible for developing and delivering Metrea's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Aerial Firefighting (AFF) and Special Mobility capabilities. SAM (AUS) oversees the integration of new mission systems, ensuring operational readiness across specialised aviation operations in and from Australia.

About The Role The Head of Flight Operations is responsible to the Head of SAM-AUS (acting as the Accountable Manager (AM)) for the delivery of secure, compliant and effective flight operations to meet the requirements of Metrea's Manned aircraft programs in accordance with applicable CASA regulations and Metrea operating procedures. This role is also responsible for ensuring close coordination between the various organisations within the Metrea Enterprise to ensure that the business meets internal and external requirements.

Key Responsibilities

- Effective Operational Delivery: Ensure flying operations are conducted in support of delivering key national security effects to our customers and partners.
- Flight Crew Management: Supervise flight crew ensuring pilot qualification, ratings and recency requirements are met. Manage pilot performance and operational adherence to SOPs, including mentoring and career development. Support pilot recruitment and onboarding.
- Operational Safety Management: Ensure flying operations are conducted safely, including establishing and maintaining operational standards, SOPs and active operational risk management.




- Safety Culture and Leadership: Act as the operational role model within the organisation, aligning with Metrea's FIRMWARE and a Just Culture, encouraging open communication and driving continual improvement in flight operations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure operations are delivered in compliance with appropriate CASA regulatory requirements, Metrea's operations manual and company core values.
- Documentation Development: Support the establishment of regulatory documentation in support of capability establishment and continual development of additional capabilities.

Essential Requirements

- At least five (5) years of relevant aviation flight operations experience of which at least two (2) years should be from the aeronautical industry in a management position responsible for oversight of air crew.
- Minimum 2500+ hours total fixed wing time with experience in twin engine turboprop (e.g. King Air 300) and/or jet aircraft (e.g. Challenger or Global aircraft).
- 1000 hours PIC (Pilot-In-Command) time in which 300 PIC hours must be in similar aircraft type.
- Experience in Special Mission aviation.
- Detailed knowledge and practitioner level operational delivery experience as a key person (nominated person) in CASA Part-138 operations or similar.
- Intimate knowledge of the Australian government customer's methodologies for setting requirements for contracted airborne services.
- CASA commercial pilot licence, MECIR, CASA Class 1 Medical.
- Must have a current AUS Passport.

Desirable
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Aviation Management, Project Management, Business Administration, or related field.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365, project management principles, quality management systems (e.g., AS9100), and safety protocols.

Benefits/What We Offer

- Private Health Insurance
- Generous PTO
- Annual incentive plan
- Paid parental leave
- Life and disability insurance
- Income Protection Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Novated Car Leasing

How to Apply We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make hiring decisions based on capability, potential and alignment with our values.

📌 Head of Flight Operations (HOFO) (Brisbane)
🏢 Aviation Careers Australia
📍 Brisbane