Flight Test Operator: Drone Validation & Field Trials

Zipline

Amarillo (TX)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 110,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to bring early-stage aircraft from prototype to production bring-up. You will execute, iterate, and sign off on flight operations that validate airworthiness and avionics/software integration at Zipline’s test sites.

You’ll work with vehicle engineering, software, safety, manufacturing, and field teams to turn flight software into reliable, release-ready aircraft.

Qualifications

FAA Part 107 certification required at joining.
Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft.
Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and accountability: own go/no-go decisions and preflight checklists.
Operational intensity in failure-heavy field environments with quick diagnostics.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end daily flight test campaign execution.
Act as Remote Pilot in Command for Zipline’s Autonomous Aircraft and test profiles.
Validate functionality through repeatable ground and flight test procedures.
Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware issues on-site to return aircraft to flight.
Summarize test results with qualitative and quantitative analysis against engineering expectations.
Escalate flight performance anomalies to engineering and safety for resolution.
Enforce site safety, run briefings/debriefs, and refine SOPs to reduce repeat failures.
Onsite at Zipline test site; expect weekends/night shifts and occasional regional travel.