Flight Test Operations Lead

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking an Assistant Site Lead to run the flight test facility in South San Francisco. You will partner with the Site Lead to manage the Ground Test Operator team and move aircraft from engineering development into flight test.

You will own daily execution within site procedures, coordinate staffing, and ensure safe test operations. You will escalate safety concerns and, when acting Site Lead, direct site operations and align cross-functional priorities.

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 skills, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Excellent operational judgment with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and execute cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance tactical execution with longer-term operational planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily flight test operations, including operational briefings, readiness checks, and safe execution of test activities.
• Manage and develop the Visual Observer and Flight 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 Ops

Safety Critical

Operational Planning

Cross-Functional

Communication

Decision Making

Job description

Zipline is seeking an Assistant Site Lead to run the flight test facility in South San Francisco. You will partner with the Site Lead to manage the Ground Test Operator team and move aircraft from engineering development into flight test.

You will own daily execution within site procedures, coordinate staffing, and ensure safe test operations. You will escalate safety concerns and, when acting Site Lead, direct site operations and align cross-functional priorities.