Flight Data Programme Manager

Flight Data Programme Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
British Airways PLC

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive flight data monitoring, analyse trends, and enhance aviation safety.
  • Company: Join British Airways, a world-class airline with over 100 years of history.
  • Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on flight safety while working in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in flight data monitoring and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

A career without limits. As the nation's flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. This originality has been in our blood since day one. It's the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues. A job at British Airways is yours to make. We know great things can happen when you're inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways, the sky is never the limit.

This is your chance to join a world‑class airline and help drive one of the industry's leading Flight Data Monitoring programmes. As a Flight Data Programme Manager, you'll turn data into action‑leading investigations, spotting trends, and shaping safety performance across our operation. Corporate Safety & Security sits at the heart of how we protect our people, customers and operation. Within this, the Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programme is a critical pillar of our safety system‑providing data‑driven insight that helps us proactively identify risk, improve performance and maintain our industry‑leading safety standards.

Working as part of our Flight Data Safety team, you'll play a key role in developing and enhancing our FDM programme, supported by a dedicated team of flight crew and safety professionals. We are committed to maintaining our industry‑leading position in Flight Data Monitoring, and you will be central to sustaining and advancing this in the ever‑evolving world of aviation safety. We're looking for someone with real FDM experience who thrives on data and has a genuine passion for aviation. If you enjoy solving complex problems and making a tangible impact on flight safety, we would like to hear from you!

What you'll do:

  • Apply and evolve flight data‑led investigations into exceedances and emerging safety trends.
  • Review and triage events identified through the Flight Data Monitoring Programme, escalating for investigation where appropriate.
  • Support the analysis of flight data trends, communicating clear, evidence‑based insights to safety and risk management forums.
  • Continuously monitor programme performance, identifying opportunities for enhancement and making recommendations for improvement.
  • Contribute to industry‑led working groups, providing subject matter expertise on risk events and trends.
  • Build strong relationships with programme stakeholders, including FDM investigators and operational teams.
  • Support the delivery and development of the overall FDM programme and its governance.
  • Champion curiosity and continuous improvement to maintain industry‑leading safety standards.
  • Deputise for the Flight Data Safety Manager as required.

What you’ll bring to British Airways:

  • You bring a genuine passion for aviation safety and a strong analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret complex and sometimes conflicting data to drive meaningful insight.
  • You are naturally curious and proactive, always looking for opportunities to improve processes and enhance performance.
  • You are comfortable working with ambiguity and demonstrate sound judgement when prioritising risk in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
  • You bring strong relationship‑building skills and the confidence to work collaboratively across directorates, regulators and industry bodies.
  • With clear and effective communication, you are able to translate technical detail into practical, actionable outputs.
  • You are organised and resilient, able to manage multiple workstreams independently while delivering high‑quality outcomes to tight timescales.
  • Above all, you role‑model our commitment to safety and act with integrity in everything you do.

Your experience:

  • Experience or knowledge of Flight Data Monitoring, including programme management and development.
  • Previous airline operational knowledge or experience.
  • Strong analytical capability, with experience working with complex data sets.
  • Experience using data retrieval and analysis tools (e.g. Microsoft Office, data visualisation tools, SQL).
  • Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and prioritise effectively.
  • Strong communication skills, with experience presenting insights to stakeholders.
  • Experience working in a regulated or safety‑critical environment.
  • Numerate degree or relevant experience in a similar role (desirable).
  • Experience with programming languages such as Python or R (desirable).
  • Aviation regulatory knowledge or experience (desirable).

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It is one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted Hotline airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity:

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

Flight Data Programme Manager employer: British Airways PLC

At British Airways, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Flight Data Programme Manager, you'll not only contribute to our industry-leading safety standards but also enjoy unparalleled staff travel benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are committed to inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the aviation industry.

British Airways PLC

Contact Details:

British Airways PLC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Flight Data Programme Manager

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with British Airways PLC for a Flight Data Programme Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Flight Data Programme Manager

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
SQL
Python
Attention to Detail
Data Engineering
ETL/ELT Processes

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at British Airways PLC, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At British Airways PLC, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways PLC

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with British Airways PLC.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with British Airways PLC. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like British Airways PLC love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.