Flight Test Pilot - High-Tempo Autonomous Drone Ops

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 safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline's aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct repeatable flight operations across varied mission profiles and conditions, coordinating with reliability engineering, software, and manufacturing to turn test results into improvements.

You will work onsite at Zipline test sites, with weekends, night shifts, and regional travel as

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 certification (required at time of joining).
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft.
• Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and accountability: preflight checklists, go/no-go decisions, and documenting safety incidents.

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.
• Troubleshoot and repair software/hardware issues on-site to safely return aircraft to flight.
• Summarize test results with qualitative and quantitative analyses against expectations, reliability targets, and safety requirements.
• Escalate anomalies and risks to engineering and safety to drive containment and resolution.

Skills

Drone piloting

Decision making

Test campaign ownership

Safety mindset

Communication

High tempo operations

Relocation willingness

Team coordination

Tools

Linux CLI

Job description

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing that proves safety, reliability, and operational readiness of Zipline's aircraft and delivery systems. You will conduct repeatable flight operations across varied mission profiles and conditions, coordinating with reliability engineering, software, and manufacturing to turn test results into improvements.

You will work onsite at Zipline test sites, with weekends, night shifts, and regional travel as