Field Visual Observer - Drone Safety & Flight Ops (Contract)

Zipline; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline seeks a Visual Observer based in Austin to support safe, repeatable autonomous aircraft operations delivering medical supplies. You will detect hazards, report observations, and ensure compliance across outdoor field sites with RPIC coordination.

The role requires working outdoors, shift flexibility, and strong safety focus to protect public and crew during launches, flights, and deliveries.

Qualifications

• Must be 18+ and able to pass background and pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and ongoing random testing.
• Available for assigned day, night, and weekend shifts at the Dallas site; both part-time and full-time schedules considered. Contract length ~3–6 months as-stated by the hiring manager.
• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods in varying weather (heat, rain, wind); able to stand and visually scan for entire shifts and perform repetitive, safety-critical tasks.
• Clear, calm radio and face-to-face communication under operational stress; English fluency for safety-critical exchanges.
• Ability to enforce safety rules with the public and crew and to make decisive hazard calls during operations.
• Preferred: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or prior UAS/aviation experience; candidates without Part 107 will complete Zipline’s training and competency checks as required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Own visual observation for assigned flights from pre-launch through handoff/recovery and until the aircraft is secured; maintain continuous, unaided line-of-sight of the aircraft and surrounding airspace.
• Detect and call out non-cooperative air traffic, people, vehicles, wildlife, and surface hazards; initiate escalation and immediate mitigations per crew procedures and stop operations when required.
• Monitor and report hazardous weather, smoke, or environmental conditions that affect launch/recovery; provide concise go/no-go inputs to the RPIC and site lead.
• Conduct and record pre-operational site checks per checklist; verify clear launch/recovery corridors, markings, and safety equipment before each flight.
• Communicate real-time observations and coordinate with RPIC, site lead, and crew during briefings and dynamic events using standard radio/hand signals and logs.
• Complete incident reports, flight logs, and post-flight safety documentation accurately and on time; support safety reviews and corrective actions to reduce repeat occurrences.
• Execute routine site setup and teardown tasks during shifts, including deployment of visual markers and safety barriers, and maintain site readiness for operations.
• Maintain operational readiness for day, night, and weekend shifts; participate in recurrent training, competency checks, and any required regulatory training.

Skills

English fluency

Strong radio communication

Hazard detection

Education

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Job description

Zipline seeks a Visual Observer based in Austin to support safe, repeatable autonomous aircraft operations delivering medical supplies. You will detect hazards, report observations, and ensure compliance across outdoor field sites with RPIC coordination.

The role requires working outdoors, shift flexibility, and strong safety focus to protect public and crew during launches, flights, and deliveries.