Flight Test Operations Lead

Socket.dev; Half Moon Bay (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline’s flight test facility turns new aircraft capabilities into safe, repeatable operations. As Assistant Site Lead, you will partner with the Site Lead to run the facility, lead the Ground Test Operator team, and improve how aircraft move from engineering development into flight test.

You will own daily execution within established site procedures, including readiness, staffing coordination, and operator performance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in aviation, aerospace, robotics, drone operations, military operations, or similarly complex operational environments.
• Experience managing operational execution in fast-paced, safety-critical environments.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily flight test operations, including operational briefings, readiness checks, and safe execution of test activities.
• Manage and develop the Ground Test Operator team through hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance feedback, and career development.
• Own site readiness by coordinating facilities, equipment, layout, and operational needs with internal teams and vendors.
• Partner with engineering, safety, maintenance, and manufacturing to plan and execute complex test campaigns.
• Improve procedures, tooling, and workflows to increase test throughput, repeatability, reliability, and safety.
• Serve as acting Site Lead when needed, directing site operations and aligning cross-functional priorities so testing can continue safely.
• Represent Flight Test Operations during facility visits, explaining Zipline’s aircraft, test approach, and operational practices to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Team leadership

Aviation experience

Operational execution

Safety-critical environment

Communication skills

Decision making under pressure

Job description

Zipline’s flight test facility turns new aircraft capabilities into safe, repeatable operations. As Assistant Site Lead, you will partner with the Site Lead to run the facility, lead the Ground Test Operator team, and improve how aircraft move from engineering development into flight test.

You will own daily execution within established site procedures, including readiness, staffing coordination, and operator performance.