Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Work Availability
Quote
Timeline
Core Competencies
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Bilal MASOOD

Bilal MASOOD

Strategic Programme Leader Aerospace, Defence & High‑Tech Innovation
Gloucester

Summary

Strategic aerospace executive with 19 years’ experience leading $20–100M aviation technology programs across Europe and Asia. Proven record of transforming breakthrough R&D into certified, customer‑ready systems — from hydrogen‑electric propulsion to solar‑powered stratospheric UAVs. Recognized for governance, risk control, and stakeholder influence that deliver measurable impact at board and regulator level.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Programme Management

AALTO HAPS Ltd (Airbus Company)
01.2024 - Current

Airbus venture developing solar‑powered stratospheric High‑Altitude Pseudo‑Satellites (HAPS)/UAVs for persistent global connectivity and earth observation.


Major Accomplishments:

  • Driving a $100M investment programme through milestone‑based delivery, shaping the innovation roadmap and demonstrating programme credibility to investors.
  • Leading the end‑to‑end delivery of solar‑powered HAPS/UAV platforms, bridging advanced R&D with industrialization, certification, and customer deployment.
  • Directed $20–30M programs, aligning engineering, regulatory, and commercial priorities to accelerate technology readiness.
  • Instituted governance frameworks that cut executive decision cycles by 30%, strengthening transparency and risk control.
  • Built and mentored multinational teams across Europe and Asia, raising capability and delivery performance.
  • Represented AALTO at industry forums and with regulators, reinforcing Airbus’ leadership in stratospheric UAV innovation.

Program Manager

ZeroAvia Ltd, Cotswold Airport
01.2022 - 01.2024

Clean‑aviation pioneer developing hydrogen‑electric propulsion systems for zero‑emission regional aircraft.


Major Achievements:

  • Delivered the world’s first hydrogen‑electric 14-seat flight demonstrator, a $15M aviation technology programme, under EASA/CAA oversight.
  • Directed certification‑first R&D efforts, achieving industry‑first safety milestones in hydrogen‑electric propulsion.
  • Coordinated engineering, certification, and operations functions to maintain programme momentum and regulatory readiness.
  • Implemented risk frameworks that reduced programme overruns by 20%, safeguarding investor confidence.
  • Negotiated vendor contracts and optimized resource allocation, improving productivity and profitability.

Project Manager, Aircraft Power Generation System

GE Aviation Systems
03.2021 - 12.2021

Leading global provider of aircraft systems and avionics, specializing in power generation, flight management, and mission‑critical technologies.


Major Accomplishments:

  • Developed an integrated master schedule for a £150M programme, improving earned value management and resource visibility by 25%.
  • Directed multiple concurrent projects, balancing resources, risk, and strategic objectives to ensure delivery.
  • Instituted executive reporting rhythms that cut board‑level decision latency by 40%, enabling proactive interventions..

Project Manager, Portfolio Office Transformation

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
08.2020 - 03.2021

UK government research organization advancing nuclear fusion technology and portfolio governance for sustainable energy innovation.


Major Accomplishments:

  • Oversaw portfolio transformation initiatives in nuclear fusion R&D, ensuring alignment with strategic sustainability goals.
  • Delivered change management programs that minimized operational disruption and improved delivery assurance.
  • Integrated risk, schedule, and performance tracking, enhancing transparency and governance across the portfolio.

Program Manager - A320 Industrial Systems Performance

AIRBUS
03.2019 - 07.2020

One of the world’s largest aerospace OEMs, designing, manufacturing, and supporting commercial aircraft, defense systems, and space platforms.


Major Accomplishments:

  • Directed industrial performance of the A320 fuel system across UK, Germany, and France, safeguarding continuity for 150+ aircraft in final assembly.
  • Implemented crisis management strategies that protected manufacturing processes and reduced downtime.
  • Acted as Product Change Leader, facilitating MOD rollouts with minimal operational disruption and full supply chain readiness.

Project Manager / Key Account Development & Management

Safran Engineering Services UK Ltd
01.2013 - 03.2019

Part of Safran Group, a global aerospace and defense leader providing engineering, cabin interiors, and systems integration services to airlines and OEMs.

Major Accomplishments:

  • Led aerospace engineering programs worth £2M, directing teams of 20 FTEs across a transnational matrix structure.
  • Secured strategic EU contracts, expanding Safran’s footprint through competitive proposals.
  • Established governance frameworks with KPI dashboards, improving profitability and delivery assurance.
  • Delivered engineering concessions offloading that safeguarded cabin programs and ensured timely certification.

Multiple Roles

Multiple
12.2003 - 01.2013

Major Achievements:

  • Progressed from quality and compliance into aerospace consultancy, delivering flight physics and certification readiness for OEM programs.
  • Advanced into programme quality leadership, overseeing certification readiness, governance, and risk management in highly regulated aerospace and defense environments.
  • Built a strong foundation in engineering assurance, regulatory compliance, and multinational delivery, providing the technical depth that underpins later executive programme leadership.

Education

Master of Science - Aerospace Dynamics

Cranfield University
Cranfield, United Kindom
06.2011

Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering

ISAE Toulouse
Toulouse, France
09.2010

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering (Honors)

NWFP UET Peshawar
Peshawar, Pakistan
10.2003

Skills

Programme & Project Management (EASA/FAA Standards)

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
Muhammad Ali

Timeline

Director, Programme Management

AALTO HAPS Ltd (Airbus Company)
01.2024 - Current

Program Manager

ZeroAvia Ltd, Cotswold Airport
01.2022 - 01.2024

Project Manager, Aircraft Power Generation System

GE Aviation Systems
03.2021 - 12.2021

Project Manager, Portfolio Office Transformation

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
08.2020 - 03.2021

Program Manager - A320 Industrial Systems Performance

AIRBUS
03.2019 - 07.2020

Project Manager / Key Account Development & Management

Safran Engineering Services UK Ltd
01.2013 - 03.2019

Multiple Roles

Multiple
12.2003 - 01.2013

Master of Science - Aerospace Dynamics

Cranfield University

Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering

ISAE Toulouse

Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering (Honors)

NWFP UET Peshawar

Core Competencies

  • Programme & Project Leadership – Delivered complex development, induction, retrofit, and recovery campaigns under EASA and FAA standards, ensuring predictable outcomes in high-risk environments.
  • Governance & Risk Management – Built governance frameworks, KPI dashboards, and risk controls that improved predictability, safeguarded ROI, and reinforced executive confidence.
  • Cross-Functional & Multinational Delivery – Directed multidisciplinary teams and suppliers across Europe, North America, and Asia, aligning technical execution with cost, schedule, and regulatory targets.
  • Commercial & Stakeholder Influence – Negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts, managed budgets, and influenced OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, regulators, and executives to resolve complex customer dynamics.
  • Change & Crisis Management – Steering organization's through transformation, recovery, and industrial performance challenges.
Bilal MASOODStrategic Programme Leader Aerospace, Defence & High‑Tech Innovation