Flight Test Ops Lead

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

Job summary

Zipline is seeking an Assistant Site Lead to partner with the Site Lead and run the flight test facility. You will lead the Ground Test Operator team, ensure safe, ready operations, and drive throughput improvements across testing campaigns.

Ideal candidates have experience in aviation or drone operations, strong leadership, and a track record of cross‑functional collaboration. This role is based at Zipline’s flight test site in California, with significant safety‑critical responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in aviation, aerospace, robotics, drone operations, or similar 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 briefings, readiness checks, and safe execution of test activities.
• Develop and grow the Ground Test Operator team through hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance feedback.
• 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.
• Represent Flight Test Operations during facility visits, explaining Zipline’s aircraft, test approach, and practices to diverse audiences.

Skills

Aviation operations

Team leadership

Safety-critical environments

Operational planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making under pressure

Process improvement

Communication skills

Job description

Zipline is seeking an Assistant Site Lead to partner with the Site Lead and run the flight test facility. You will lead the Ground Test Operator team, ensure safe, ready operations, and drive throughput improvements across testing campaigns.

Ideal candidates have experience in aviation or drone operations, strong leadership, and a track record of cross‑functional collaboration. This role is based at Zipline’s flight test site in California, with significant safety‑critical responsibilities.