FLIGHT OPS LEAD INVESTIGATOR AND FDM GATEKEEPER

We are looking for a Flight Ops Lead Investigator and FDM Gatekeeper

Are you our next colleague? We are looking for a Flight Ops Lead Investigator and FDM Gatekeeper; to support the our proactive Safety Management System by independently reviewing, analysing, and assessing Flight Data Monitoring events, transforming flight data into meaningful safety intelligence to identify operational hazards, monitor safety performance, and drive continuous improvement. The role also provides functional leadership, oversight, mentoring, and quality assurance for Flight Safety Investigators, ensuring investigations are conducted consistently, independently, and in accordance with company investigation procedures and Just Culture principles. 

The role will report to the Safety Manager in SAS Connect, and may be located in our DUB office or at our HQ at Frösundavik, Sweden or Arlanda Airport. 

Challenges you will work on:

• Review assigned FDM events generated through the airline’s Flight Data Monitoring programme within agreed timelines.
• Validate FDM triggers and determine whether events represent genuine operational exceedances, acceptable operational variation, or false activations.
• Analyse flight data considering aircraft performance, flight path management, energy management, aircraft configuration, environmental conditions, and operational context.
• Assess the safety significance of FDM events using the company’s approved Safety Risk Management process.
• Identify hazards, contributing factors, recurring events, and emerging operational trends.
• Escalate significant events requiring further analysis, safety investigation, or immediate management attention.
• Provide technical flight data analysis to support occurrence investigations and assist Flight Safety Investigators.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of FDM assessments, conclusions, and recommendations within the company Safety Management System.
• Support the development of safety reports, Safety Action Groups, Safety Review Boards, and other safety forums through the provision of FDM data and trend analysis.
• Participate in the continuous improvement of the FDM programme by reviewing event definitions, thresholds, and analysis methodologies.
• Ensure all FDM activities are conducted in accordance with Just Culture principles, confidentiality requirements, and applicable data protection requirements.
• Support the identification and implementation of safety actions, training improvements, and operational mitigations resulting from FDM analysis.
• Provide functional leadership, oversight, mentoring, and quality assurance for Flight Safety Investigators, ensuring investigations are conducted consistently, independently, and in accordance with company investigation procedures and Just Culture principles.

The Team

You will be working closely with the Safety Manager, collaborate with Flight Safety Investigators, engage with Flight Operations Management, Chief Pilots, and Training Departments to support operational safety improvements. You will also liase with flight crew when required in accordance with Just Culture principles and approved FSM procedures. You will also cooperate with Safety Analysts, Compliance Monitoring, CAMO, Engineering personnel, and external FDM service providers where required. 

To be successful we believe you have:

• Degree or recognised qualification in Aviation, Engineering, Safety Management, or a related discipline is desirable.
• Formal training in Flight Data Monitoring, Safety Management Systems, or aviation safety investigation is desirable.
• Training in Human Factors, Threat and Error Management, and aviation risk assessment is advantageous.
• Significant aviation operational experience as a pilot, Flight Safety Officer, Flight Operations professional, or equivalent technical role.
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, aircraft performance, flight operations, and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Experience in the interpretation and analysis of flight data or other technical operational data desirable.
• Experience in aviation occurrence investigation, root cause analysis, and safety risk management is advantageous.
• Knowledge of EASA Air Operations requirements, ICAO Safety Management principles, and Just Culture concepts.
• Experience using FDM analysis software is desirable.

As a person, we believe you:

• Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Are objective, impartial, and committed to Just Culture principles.
• Have excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to analysis.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have the confidence to challenge assumptions while maintaining constructive relationships.
• Are proactive, curious, and committed to continuous safety improvement.
• Work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and operational departments.

Why SAS?

At SAS, we offer extensive opportunities for professional development in an international, fast-paced working environment. We are dedicated to the continuous growth of our employees. Working with us comes with a variety of benefits, including:  

• Travel Perks: Enjoy discounted travel opportunities around the world with SAS.   

• Discounts: Receive discounts from a wide range of brands, as well as on transportation to and from airports, airport shops, hotels, and car rentals.  

Our Culture at SAS

At SAS, we are dedicated to caring for each other, delighting our travelers, and driving the transformation towards sustainable aviation. As a future colleague on our team, you’ll join a culture where we work collaboratively towards common goals, recognize each other's contributions, and celebrate successes. Our focus is on safe, sustainable, and punctual execution, and we are committed to protecting our planet while transforming SAS for the future. This is an empowering workplace where you can thrive, grow, and take ownership of your work. At SAS we are part of shaping the future of aviation!  

Other information of importance:

The Flight Data Monitoring Gatekeeper is a safety critical role within the airline’s Safety Management System. The role requires independent judgement, operational credibility, and the ability to convert complex flight data into actionable safety intelligence.

 All FDM activities shall be conducted in accordance with the airline’s approved FDM programme, applicable regulatory requirements, and the principles of Just Culture. Flight data shall be used solely for safety enhancement, organisational learning, and the prevention of future occurrences.

The FDM Gatekeeper shall maintain competency through initial and recurrent training, participation in FDM calibration activities, and continuous professional development.

The Flight Ops Lead Investigator provides functional oversight of Flight Safety Investigators for investigation activity and reports directly to the Safety Manager. This arrangement is intended to maintain independence from Flight Operations line management and to support impartial investigation interviews, evidence assessment, recommendations, and safety learning. 

Does this sound like you? Please apply asap and we look forward to hearing from you. 

A background check will be conducted at the final stage of this recruitment process, as this role is security classified. If you are aware of any specific matters that may come up during this background check, we kindly ask you to be transparent about them during the recruitment process.

If you have questions about this position, you are welcome to contact hiring manager and Safety Manager, Gerard Carey, at Gerard.Carey@sas.dk.