Autonomous Flight Test Operator

Socket.dev; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Overtime pay

Discretionary bonuses

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing that proves the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline’s aircraft and delivery systems. You will coordinate with reliability engineering, software, hardware, safety, maintenance, manufacturing, and field operations to turn test results into measurable improvements.

You will own end-to-end flight test campaigns as Remote Pilot in Command, validate performance across varied conditions,

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 certification is required.
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft.
• Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and safety incident escalation.
• Ability to operate in high-tempo field environments; able to lift 50+ lb equipment.
• Comfort with onsite, outdoor environments and night/weekend shifts.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end daily flight test campaigns as Remote Pilot in Command.
• Validate system performance through ground and flight tests.
• Troubleshoot software and hardware issues on-site to return aircraft to flight.
• Summarize results with qualitative and quantitative analysis of performance.
• Escalate safety risks to engineering and safety teams and drive containment.
• Support safety, SOP updates and site risk management.

Skills

FAA Part 107

Drone piloting

Aeronautical decision making

Go/no-go decisions

Documentation & reporting

Tools

Linux command-line

Job description

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing that proves the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline’s aircraft and delivery systems. You will coordinate with reliability engineering, software, hardware, safety, maintenance, manufacturing, and field operations to turn test results into measurable improvements.

You will own end-to-end flight test campaigns as Remote Pilot in Command, validate performance across varied conditions,