Bridger Aerospace is an aerial firefighting company based in Belgrade, Montana, located at the Bozeman Yellowstone Airport (KBZN). It was founded in 2014 to support front-line firefighters with world-leading technology and aerial fire suppression systems. We have grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack and the largest Super Scooper fleet in the U.S. in less than eight years. Bridger is a leader in fighting wildfires, specializing in Air Attack, Fire Suppression, and Aerial Fire-Mapping technologies. Our focus is to provide the most effective and modern capabilities to fight fires from the air. Meeting the needs of the growing threat of economic and environmental damage caused by wildfires and supporting ground-based firefighters is our priority. 

About Flight Test & Mechanic Solutions, Inc.

Flight Test & Mechanic Solutions, Inc dba FMS Aerospace (FMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridger, was founded in 2013, is a growing, flexible, customer-driven aircraft structural engineering and flight test company with manufacturing capability. We have many opportunities with a variety of types of projects with both foreign and domestic governments and commercial customers across many types of aircraft.

About the Role

The General Manager of FMS leads Bridger Aerospace’s Engineering division, which delivers world-class, aircraft modification, design, manufacturing, and engineering support while maintaining strict compliance with regulatory standards and customer commitments

This role is responsible for the overall operational, financial, and personnel leadership of the division, ensuring that FMS programs deliver against technical requirements, budget expectations, and schedule commitments.

The GM serves as the primary operational leader of the division, overseeing program execution, workforce management, financial performance, and operational processes while maintaining strong alignment between the Bridger Defense division and corporate leadership.

This position requires a leader capable of balancing technical program oversight, operational excellence, and business management, ensuring that FMS continues to scale as a trusted engineering and aviation services partner for complex aerospace programs.

Responsibilities:

Division Leadership & Business Operations

• Lead the FMS division, overseeing engineering, flight test, aircraft modification, and fabrication operations
• Establish scalable operational processes and governance to support efficient business operations and program execution
• Serve as the primary liaison between FMS, and corporate leadership to align strategy, performance, and priorities
• Monitor divisional performance against budgets, forecasts, and program milestones, driving accountability and operational improvements
• Maintain required business licenses, certifications, and security clearances, and oversee operational systems including Unanet for program tracking and financial management
• Develop relationships within the Huntsville defense ecosystem and represent FMS in regional industry organizations to support business development opportunities

Program & Performance Management

• Oversee program execution across engineering and flight test programs to ensure delivery against cost, schedule, and technical performance requirements
• Identify risks and performance gaps and implement corrective actions to maintain program commitments
• Ensure effective communication between program teams, senior leadership, and customers regarding program status and priorities

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage divisional budgets, including operating expenses and capital expenditures
• Monitor program performance against financial forecasts and maintain financial discipline across projects
• Approve major purchases and capital investments required to support operational capability
• Partner with corporate finance on budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting

Workforce Planning & Personnel Leadership

• Lead workforce planning, including hiring, retention, and organizational structure aligned with business needs
• Manage the employee lifecycle including onboarding, offboarding, workforce scaling, and program staffing
• Develop and lead a high-performing team of engineers, technicians, and support staff while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and collaboration

Compliance & Quality Oversight

• Ensure operations comply with FAA, DoD, OEM, and customer regulatory requirements
• Oversee quality assurance, safety programs, and compliance processes across engineering and flight operations
• Maintain adherence to AS9100 and applicable aerospace quality standards

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain relationships with government agencies, defense customers, and commercial aerospace partners.
• Represent FMS capabilities in customer engagements and proposal development.
• Ensure programs are executed in alignment with contractual commitments.

Strategic Growth & Capability Development

• Support long-term growth through operational capability development and program expansion.
• Identify opportunities to enhance engineering, flight test, and fabrication capabilities.
• Partner with Bridger leadership on strategic initiatives, partnerships, and defense spanet opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace, aviation maintenance, engineering operations, or defense program management
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, program performance, and operational teams
• Strong understanding of aerospace regulatory environments including FAA and DoD contracting environments
• Proven ability to lead complex technical teams in compliance-driven operational environments
• Strong organizational leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Must be U.S. citizen
• Must currently possess or be able to receive Department of Defense Secret clearance

Desired Skills/Experience/Qualifications:

• PMP or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
• Experience with AS9100 quality systems preferred

Core Competencies:

• Operational & Strategic Leadership
• Program and Performance Management
• Financial Oversight & Budget Management
• Workforce Planning & Organizational Leadership
• Aerospace Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
• Customer & Government Stakeholder Engagement
• Process Development & Operational Scaling

Benefits and Perks:

• Industry-competitive compensation package
• Company performance-based bonus plan
• Equity stock-based compensation package
• Employer-funded comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• 401k with company match
• PTO & holiday pay
• Employer-funded life and disability insurance coverages

This position is subject to pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings and its family of companies does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information or any other classification protected by federal or state law in matters of employment, promotion, services or activities it operates.