Drone Pilot, Labs

DoorDash; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 34,302 - 57,583; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with employer matching

16 weeks of paid parental leave

Wellness benefits

Paid time off

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

A logistics and technology company is seeking a Drone Pilot to join their field testing team. This role involves executing drone test flights, supporting testing readiness, and collaborating with engineering teams. Candidates should have a Part 107 certification and experience with drone operations. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Hold a Part 107 certification and have logged over 100 flight hours.
• Understand FAA regulations and best practices for drone flight.
• Bring analytical thinking and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Execute structured drone test flights in various modes.
• Support daily test readiness and on-site logistics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve testing.

Skills

Part 107 certification

100+ flight hours

Understanding of FAA regulations

Analytical thinking

Knowledge of PX4, ArduPilot

Collaborative skills

Job description

Join DoorDash Labs: Drone Pilot Opportunity

About the Team

DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics in the long term. If you have a passion for applying autonomous aviation technologies in a service used by millions of people, then we want to talk to you!

About the Role

In this role, you’ll be part of a hands-on field testing team supporting flight validation of new drone platforms. You’ll work closely with engineering and flight leads to execute test flights safely, efficiently, and with precision—helping shape the future of autonomous aerial systems.

• Execute structured drone test flights in both manual and autonomous modes, adjusting flight parameters in real time based on evolving test plans and feedback.
• Support daily test readiness by performing pre- and post-flight checks, managing batteries, preparing equipment, and assisting with on-site logistics.
• Operate in field environments with extended periods of standing, repetitive drone handling, and outdoor exposure to varying weather (heat, dust, cold, wind, etc.).
• Stay flexible and responsive to shifting schedules, including early mornings, late afternoons, and variable hours based on test conditions. Open to about 20% travel.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to surface observations, flag anomalies, and support iterative improvement cycles during testing.

You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Operate and test drones as part of cutting-edge autonomous delivery development.
• Support flight testing, data collection, and troubleshooting for new drone systems.
• Work closely with engineering and operations teams to provide feedback and improve drone performance.
• Gain hands-on experience in emerging technology, working with a team in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
• Contribute to building the future of drone delivery through curiosity, adaptability, and a proactive mindset.

We’re excited about you because…

• You’re Certified: You hold a Part 107 certification and have logged over 100+ flight hours in varied environments and have experience flying FPV/Acro Mode.
• You Know the Airspace: You understand FAA regulations, operational risk, and best practices for safe and compliant drone flight.
• You’re Tech-Savvy and Curious: You’re excited about testing new drone technology and enjoy solving technical problems in real-time.
• You Think Critically: You bring analytical thinking and attention to detail to identify issues, document results, and iterate on improvements.
• You know Firmware: You've worked with PX4, ArduPilot, Auterion, or Herelink-based systems.
• You’ve Been on the Frontlines: You've contributed to drone development, aerospace, or robotic testing programs.
• You Collaborate Well: You work effectively with cross-functional teams—especially engineers, operators, and leadership to drive progress.
• You have hands on skills: You have the ability to fly different flight modes to help collect data and provide feedback on new drones.
• You Communicate Clearly: You share insights and updates with clarity and purpose, whether it’s writing flight logs, surfacing blockers, or presenting findings.

Why Join Us?

You'll be on the front lines of aerial innovation, directly contributing to the development and validation of new drone systems. This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role where your field skills, judgment, and communication directly shape product safety, performance, and readiness. Expect meaningful work, fast iteration, and a chance to help define the future of drone logistics.

Compensation

Actual compensation within the pay range listed below will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, prior relevant experience, and specific work location. Base salary is localized according to employee work location.

DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

See below for paid time off details:

• For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
• For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).

The national base pay range for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado. $24.90—$41.80 USD

About DoorDash

At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started with door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known for delivering food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.