Aviation Regulatory Affairs Manager

About the role

The Aviation Regulatory Manager at Rainmaker owns the full federal aviation and spectrum regulatory portfolio that enables the company to fly, transmit, and manufacture uncrewed aircraft systems. This role is responsible for leading the strategy, drafting, and delivery of every FAA and FCC authorization Rainmaker depends on, from BVLOS operations to manufacturer-side airworthiness and compliance. The hire will shepherd regulatory submissions from initial drafting through FAA and FCC acceptance, ensuring each filing reflects accurate translation of technical and operational reality. They will directly engage with FAA inspectors and FCC examiners, building credibility through precise, regulator-ready submissions that win on the first round. This position sits at the intersection of Engineering, Flight Operations, and Manufacturing, turning complex operational decisions into language federal regulators expect and can act on. The manager will continuously challenge Rainmaker's operating concepts, safety cases, and design choices to strengthen regulatory positioning across waivers, certifications, and rulemaking cycles. They are expected to build durable institutional credibility that compounds over time, protecting and expanding the company's ability to operate and produce as both a UAS operator and manufacturer. In this role, you will define what compliant execution looks like for Rainmaker and ensure the regulatory foundation supports every future scaling decision.

Key facts

What you'll do

Lead the end-to-end drafting and shepherding of UAS flight authorizations, Certificates of Authorization (COAs), Letters of Agreement (LOAs), and FAA regulatory exemptions for Rainmaker's national and international operations.

Develop, update, and maintain Concept of Operations (CONOPs), Safety Risk Management (SRM) documentation, and operational risk assessments that align with FAA acceptance criteria and emerging guidance.

Engage directly with the FAA Flight Standards Service, UAS Integration Office, Air Traffic Organization (ATO), and applicable Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) during pre-submission consultation, response to RFIs, and post-issuance compliance activities.

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, ensuring continuity of radar validation, UAS telemetry, and data links.

Partner with Engineering to ensure spectrum architecture decisions are compatible with available licensing pathways and regulatory constraints at the federal level.

Own Rainmaker's manufacturer-side regulatory posture, including airworthiness documentation, Declaration of Compliance (DoC) preparation under the emerging Part 108 framework, and engagement with ASTM and RTCA standards such as F3442, F3705, DO-365, and DO-381.

Coordinate with Engineering and Quality on design data, test plans, and conformity documentation required to substantiate compliance claims and support FAA acceptance.

Advise leadership on the regulatory implications of design decisions, certification pathways, and AS9100 readiness as Rainmaker scales toward production-level manufacturing.

Track and analyze FAA rulemaking with material impact on Rainmaker, including Part 108 BVLOS, evolving airworthiness frameworks, and federal contracting prerequisites such as the American Security Drone Act and 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, ensuring regulatory positions reflect technical reality.

Brief leadership and cross-functional stakeholders on regulatory developments, translating complex federal guidance into actionable implications for operations, manufacturing, and product strategy.

Continuously improve how Rainmaker designs operating concepts, builds safety cases, and positions itself with the FAA to reduce friction across future waivers, certifications, and rulemaking cycles.

Maintain a current, defensible regulatory intelligence practice that anticipates changes at the FAA and FCC and informs Rainmaker's strategic decisions today and in subsequent program cycles.

Ensure all regulatory deliverables are structured for durability, clarity, and audit readiness, supporting both immediate approvals and long-term compliance integrity.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience preparing and shepherding FAA submissions for UAS operations through to issuance, including flight authorizations, COAs, LOAs, regulatory exemptions, or equivalent approvals.

Strong aviation background evidenced by one or more of the following: 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.

Solid understanding of FAA Part 107, including airspace classifications, operational limitations, and the processes for requesting and maintaining authorizations necessary for radar validation and UAS operations.

Experience preparing manufacturer-side regulatory documentation, including airworthiness files, testing protocols, and Declaration of Compliance (DoC) packages aligned with emerging Part 108 expectations.

Proficiency in interpreting and applying ASTM and RTCA standards relevant to UAS airworthiness, such as F3442, F3705, DO-365, and DO-381, and their successors.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex engineering and operational concepts into clear, regulator-appropriate language for FAA and FCC audiences.

High attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent regulatory timelines, ensuring all submissions meet federal acceptance standards.

Nice to have

Experience engaging directly with FAA inspectors and FCC examiners during pre-submission or review meetings.

Understanding of radar validation techniques, weather modification payloads, and the regulatory considerations for operating UAS in diverse climates.

Knowledge of federal contracting and Blue UAS requirements, including familiarity with the American Security Drone Act and DoD clearance processes.

Experience contributing to industry standards bodies, test site operations, or FAA stakeholder workshops related to UAS and spectrum policy.

Familiarity with AS9100 expectations and manufacturer readiness practices within the evolving regulatory framework for uncrewed aircraft production.

Practical notes

This role is full-time.

The position is based in El Segundo, California.

Travel is not expected as part of this role.

No visa sponsorship is indicated at this time.

There are no posted deadlines for this role in the provided source information.