Group Leader - Flight Simulator Technical Operations (FSTD)

Role Overview

Group Leader - Flight Simulator Technical Operations (FSTD) at CAE Middle East, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Lead a maintenance team in a new training environment supporting Riyadh Air's training centre, accountable for readiness, reliability, and regulatory compliance of advanced flight simulation training equipment.

Company Overview

CAE's mission is to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, the organization has driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. CAE leverages advanced technologies to empower customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

Role Purpose

Establish and lead technical operations supporting a new aviation training centre, managing a team responsible for preventive and corrective maintenance of flight simulation equipment. Ensure operational performance, simulator availability, service quality, and achievement of Performance-Based Accountability Key Performance Indicators directly related to contract operational and financial performance. Work at the intersection of people leadership, engineering, customer partnership, and regulatory compliance to create an environment where safety, technical excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement guide every decision.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Operations and Team Leadership

• Manage effective Engineering team functions with day-to-day operational effectiveness, monitoring and guidance.
• Ensure all training devices operate according to their certification standards at all times.
• Serve as primary point of contact for the customer on all technical or operational queries and issues.
• Ensure internal, customer, and Service Level Agreement defined compliance and quality metrics and KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Monitor defect and interrupt counts and address deviations through corrective and preventive measures.
• Own performance of the TCOPS team and quality of training devices based on contractual terms between CAE Middle East LLC and customers.
• Generate and maintain rosters for operation ensuring sufficient coverage.
• Recruit and hire new staff to meet operational deliverables and manpower requirements.
• Communicate serious concerns or issues affecting technical operation to upper management, whether technical, staff, or customer related.
• Conduct annual performance reviews of technical operation staff.
• Communicate operational and organizational information effectively and with transparency.

Performance, Quality, and Compliance

• Foster workplace culture consistent with organizational mission, vision, guiding principles and values.
• Inspire harmonious staff relations and common objectives to achieve customer expectations.
• Prioritize occupational safety and health in the workplace and associated metrics.
• Provide oversight of compliance with CAE Global Environmental policy.
• Provide oversight and direction for workforce development through training, coaching, mentoring, and task assignment to foster professional development.

Project Management

• Coordinate successful project execution through effective planning, scheduling and execution of new installations and updates, as well as device qualification processes per requirements.

Customer Satisfaction and Regulatory Requirements

• Work closely with the customer to ensure highest level of service, enabling them to deliver world class training experience for their crews and customers.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, project managers, customer service representatives, and regulators.
• Plan annual recurrent evaluations with regulatory authorities in coordination with Quality and Compliance Manager.
• Prepare and oversee operations and team to ensure smooth and successful initial and recurrent certifications of training devices.
• Ensure timely submission of all evaluation update reports to the concerned authority.

Qualifications & Experience

• Engineering Degree or Technical Diploma in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aviation related field.
• Minimum 8 years of FSTD technical experience, including at least 5 years on CAE equipment.
• Minimum 4 years in a Managerial or Supervisory position in a FSTD Technical Support environment.
• Demonstrated experience with local and International (EASA, FAA, etc.) regulations as they pertain to FSTDs.

Skills & Competencies

• Aptitude to multi-task and effectively coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to make quality and timely decisions and recommendations on technical matters and personnel issues, weighing operational, technical, and budgetary considerations.
• Proven ability to create and foster a teamwork environment in which people strive to do their best.
• Value employees, their contributions, and inputs to ensure team engagement.
• Empower employees through task or role ownership, accountability, and transparency.
• Excellent leadership skills to motivate, develop, and push direct reports to continuously reach and exceed expectations.
• Excellent written and spoken English, including ability to lead meetings, deliver presentations, and communicate effectively with varied audiences.
• Highly customer oriented with ability to establish and maintain effective relationships; ability to deal tactfully in sensitive situations.
• Ability to prepare work plans and schedules, and allocate resources to meet operational and budget objectives.
• Strong technical knowledge of FSTD hardware and software with familiarity across systems including motion, visual, avionics, hydraulics, flight dynamics, and aircraft systems.
• Vast knowledge of various aircraft types, including Commercial Jetliners (Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer), Business Jets, and Helicopters.
• Superior understanding of aircraft and training device terminology.
• Advanced understanding of Commercial and Business Aviation training.
• Advanced computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Additional Information

• Position Type: Regular
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in establishing technical operations of a new aviation training centre in Riyadh.
• Exposure to broad and technically diverse simulator operation supporting multiple training devices and aircraft platforms.
• Defined pathways for internal professional development and leadership advancement.
• CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or other characteristics protected by law.
• Reasonable accommodations are available; contact your recruiter or email CAECarrieres-Careers@cae.com if needed.
• Position Code: LI-JK1