Development Manager, Ground Charging Infrastructure

Zipline; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Development Manager to lead the development of critical ground system infrastructure and charging facilities enabling the next generation of autonomous operations. You will own projects from site evaluation through permitting and pre-construction, partnering with Engineering, Construction, Legal, Government Affairs, Operations, and external stakeholders for scalable, reliable delivery.

This highly cross-functional role requires navigating regulatory environments,

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience leading land or infrastructure development projects through permitting and construction readiness.
• Strong technical foundation in civil, structural, or electrical infrastructure development.
• Experience working with regulators, utilities, and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects through development lifecycle from initial due diligence to permit approval.
• Coordinate site due diligence activities, surveys, easement verification, and environmental studies.
• Manage design packages, permitting pathways, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Build relationships with local, regional, and state regulatory agencies and AHJs.
• Present projects to planning commissions and regulatory bodies as required.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory navigation

Communication

Tools

Utilities coordination

Job description

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About You and The Role

Zipline is looking for a Development Manager to lead the development of critical ground system as charging infrastructure that enables the next generation of autonomous operations. You will own projects from early site evaluation through permitting and pre-construction, partnering closely with Engineering, Construction, Legal, Government Affairs, Operations, and external stakeholders to deliver scalable, reliable infrastructure.

This is a highly cross-functional role that combines technical expertise, project leadership, and stakeholder management. You'll navigate complex regulatory environments, manage multidisciplinary consultants, coordinate with utility providers, and build strong relationships with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to successfully advance projects from concept to construction readiness.

You thrive in ambiguous environments and enjoy solving complex development challenges to help scale novel technologies. You combine strong technical judgment with exceptional project management skills and know how to balance engineering, regulatory, schedule, and business considerations to keep projects moving forward.

You're an effective communicator who can confidently present technical solutions to executives, regulatory agencies, utility providers, and community stakeholders. Whether you're negotiating permit conditions, coordinating design reviews, or aligning cross-functional teams, you're comfortable leading diverse groups toward a common objective.

What You'll Do

• Lead projects through the development lifecycle from initial due diligence to permit approval.
• Lead comprehensive site due diligence activities, including feasibility assessments and site constraint analyses.
• Manage land surveys, title review, easement verification, environmental studies, geotechnical investigations, and other technical evaluations.
• Assess regulatory requirements, zoning compliance, and permitting pathways.
• Manage preliminary and site design activities from concept through permit-ready design packages.
• Review design deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements, permitting standards, constructability, and budget objectives.
• Drive timely resolution of design issues across internal and external stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local, regional, and state regulatory agencies.
• Lead pre-application meetings and coordinate agency review processes.
• Present projects before planning commissions, permitting agencies, utility boards, and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Navigate complex regulatory requirements while representing project interests professionally and effectively.
• Lead projects through all required permitting and entitlement processes.
• Coordinate permit application preparation, submittals, agency review comments, and resubmittals.
• Coordinate with utility providers and grid operators on service requests, design reviews, service agreements, and utility connection requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• 5–10+ years of experience leading land or infrastructure development projects from due diligence through permitting and construction readiness in industries such as EV charging infrastructure, autonomous aviation, energy, commercial development, or other complex infrastructure sectors.
• A strong technical foundation in civil, structural, or electrical infrastructure development.
• Demonstrated success managing consultants, engineering firms, and external vendors.
• Experience working with utilities and regulatory agencies to obtain permits and utility service approvals.
• Excellent organizational, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to independently drive multiple complex projects while maintaining attention to detail and strategic priorities.
• A collaborative mindset with a bias for action and a passion for building infrastructure that enables innovative technologies.

What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $170,000 - 215,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech.