Flight Test Operator: High-Tempo Drone Validation & Safety

University of Delaware; Amarillo, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is hiring a hands-on Flight Test Operator focused on high-volume flight testing to prove safety and reliability of our autonomous aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct a wide range of flight profiles at Zipline test sites, coordinating with reliability engineering, software, hardware, safety, maintenance, manufacturing, and field operations.

The role requires FAA Part 107 certification, experience piloting drones, and the ability to own test campaigns end-to-end in a high-tempo

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 certification required at joining
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft
• Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and accountability: ownership of go/no-go decisions, preflight checklists, and safe incident escalation

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 in varied conditions
• Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware issues on-site to return aircraft to flight safely
• Summarize test results with qualitative and quantitative analysis, comparing to reliability targets and safety requirements
• Escalate anomalies, failures and safety risks to engineering and safety teams to drive containment and resolution
• Enforce and improve site safety; lead briefings/debriefs, identify hazards, and refine SOPs to prevent repeat failures
• Support continuous improvement of test operations to increase throughput, data quality and efficiency without compromising safety
• Location & schedule: onsite at a Zipline test site; expect weekends, nights, overnight shifts, and regional travel when required

Skills

FAA Part 107

Drone piloting

Go/no-go decisions

Safety-minded

High-tempo operations

Test campaigns ownership

Field operation logistics

Heavy lifting 50+ lb

Tools

Linux CLI

Job description

Zipline is hiring a hands-on Flight Test Operator focused on high-volume flight testing to prove safety and reliability of our autonomous aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct a wide range of flight profiles at Zipline test sites, coordinating with reliability engineering, software, hardware, safety, maintenance, manufacturing, and field operations.

The role requires FAA Part 107 certification, experience piloting drones, and the ability to own test campaigns end-to-end in a high-tempo