Flight Test Operator – Autonomous Drone Systems

Zipline; Esparto (CA); On-site; USD 46,838 - 52,348; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing that proves the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline’s aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct repeatable flight operations across a wide range of mission profiles, environmental conditions, and system configurations to identify failure modes and build confidence in the system at scale.

You’ll work at Zipline’s test site(s) and coordinate closely with reliability engineering,

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 certification required at joining
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft
• Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and accountability: go/no-go decisions, preflight checklists, safety documentation
• Operational intensity: able to work in high-tempo, field environments; lift 50+ lb equipment; outdoors for multi-hour test windows
• Ownership and communication: manage test campaigns end-to-end and coordinate across teams
• Safety and reliability mindset: identify risks and maintain attention to detail during high-volume testing
• Nice-to-have: Linux command-line comfort and reliability/endurance testing experience
• Nice-to-have: basic mechanical or electrical troubleshooting
• Nice-to-have: experience with automated flight systems

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end daily flight test campaign execution as Remote Pilot in Command for Zipline’s autonomous aircraft
• Validate system performance through repeatable ground and flight test procedures across varied conditions
• Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware issues on-site to safely return aircraft to flight
• Summarize test results with qualitative and quantitative analysis, comparing to reliability targets and safety requirements
• Escalate flight anomalies and safety risks to engineering, driving containment and resolution
• Enforce and improve site safety, conduct briefings/debriefs, identify hazards, and refine SOPs
• Support continuous improvement of test operations to increase throughput, data quality, and efficiency while preserving safety

Skills

FAA Part 107 certification

Drones piloting

Aeronautical decision making

Go/no-go decisions

Test campaign ownership

Safety and reliability mindset

Linux CLI (nice-to-have)

Reliability testing experience (nice‑2

Mechanical/electrical troubleshooting

Automated flight systems experience

Job description

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing that proves the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline’s aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct repeatable flight operations across a wide range of mission profiles, environmental conditions, and system configurations to identify failure modes and build confidence in the system at scale.

You’ll work at Zipline’s test site(s) and coordinate closely with reliability engineering,