Principal Logistics Coordinator (Flight Test)

Zone 5 Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life Insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Sick time

Holidays

Job summary

Zone 5 Technologies in California is seeking a Logistics Manager to architect and lead a scalable logistics and inventory system across flight test programs and engineering teams.

You will design centralized asset control, manage fleet and equipment, coordinate vendors, ensure HAZMAT and interstate transport compliance, and drive continuous improvement to keep assets mission-ready on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• 5–8+ years of logistics or asset management in high-reliability environments.
• Experience building inventory systems from scratch.
• Familiarity with HAZMAT shipping regulations and interstate transport compliance.
• Strong organizational leadership and cross-team coordination.
• Experience with ERP, inventory software, or asset management systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a centralized inventory management system for flight test and engineering assets.
• Establish sign-in/sign-out procedures with accountability and traceability.
• Track equipment ownership, custody, duration of use, and program allocation.
• Develop serialized asset control for tools, avionics, test equipment, support equipment, and vehicles.
• Develop training materials and SOPs for inventory control.
• Forecast equipment demand across concurrent programs based on flight test schedules.
• Deconflict asset usage between teams.
• Establish planning cadence to ensure test equipment and vehicles are staged in advance of need.
• Coordinate logistics readiness reviews prior to deployments.
• Maintain approved vendor lists and long-lead item tracking.
• Monitor inventory thresholds and trigger reorders proactively.
• Ensure cost efficiency and lifecycle planning of major assets.
• Develop and enforce prior-to-use inspections, weekly inspections, and preventive maintenance schedules for Trucks, Trailers, Vans.
• Manage vehicle documentation, maintenance logs, and regulatory compliance
• Coordinate repairs and downtime mitigation
• Manage logistics movements across the USA and OCONUS, and other operating locations
• Ensure proper paperwork, labeling, and HAZMAT compliance
• Coordinate shipment tracking and chain-of-custody documentation
• Communicate shipment status to program leadership
• Guarantee equipment arrives in-place and mission-ready on schedule
• Conduct audits and implement corrective actions
• Develop scalable systems to support company growth

Skills

Asset management leadership

Inventory system design

Cross-team coordination

ERP / inventory software

Travel flexibility

HAZMAT awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or related field

Tools

ERP / Inventory software

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

At Zone 5 Technologies, our flight test operations depend on disciplined execution and zero-failure logistics. We support multiple concurrent programs across geographically separated sites and demanding flight schedules where late is not an option. We are seeking a Logistics Manager to architect and lead a professional, auditable, and scalable logistics and inventory management capability across all programs and teams.

This role will build and enforce processes that ensure equipment is tracked, maintained, transported, and available, painlessly and on time, across all current and future programs supported by the flight test team.

Responsibilities:

Inventory & Asset Management Architecture

• Design and implement a centralized inventory management system for flight test and engineering assets
• Establish sign-in/sign-out procedures with clear accountability and traceability
• Track equipment ownership, custody, duration of use, and program allocation
• Develop serialized asset control for tools, avionics, test equipment, support equipment, and vehicles
• Develop training materials and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inventory control

Equipment Allocation & Program Coordination

• Forecast equipment demand across concurrent programs based on flight test schedules
• Deconflict asset usage between teams
• Establish planning cadence to ensure test equipment and vehicles are staged in advance of need
• Coordinate logistics readiness reviews prior to deployments
• Maintain approved vendor lists and long-lead item tracking
• Monitor inventory thresholds and trigger reorders proactively
• Ensure cost efficiency and lifecycle planning of major assets

Fleet & Flight Test Resource Management

• Develop and enforce prior-to-use inspections, weekly inspections, and preventive maintenance schedules for:
  • Trucks
  • Trailers
  • Vans
• Manage vehicle documentation, maintenance logs, and regulatory compliance
• Coordinate repairs and downtime mitigation
• Manage logistics movements across the USA and OCONUS, and other operating locations
• Ensure proper paperwork, labeling, and HAZMAT compliance
• Coordinate shipment tracking and chain-of-custody documentation
• Communicate shipment status to program leadership
• Guarantee equipment arrives in-place and mission-ready on schedule

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct audits and implement corrective actions
• Develop scalable systems to support company growth

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or related field (experience in aerospace or defense preferred)
• 5–8+ years of logistics or asset management experience in high-reliability environments
• Experience building inventory systems from scratch preferred
• Familiarity with HAZMAT shipping regulations and interstate transport compliance
• Strong organizational leadership and cross-team coordination skills
• Experience with ERP, inventory software, or asset management systems
• Ability to operate in fast-paced flight test or operational environments
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred:

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or flight test operations
• Experience managing distributed assets across multiple sites
• Familiarity with FAA, DOT, and shipping regulations
• Lean / Six Sigma or operational excellence background

Pay range for this role: $110,000 USD - $149,000 USD

What's in it for you:

• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company-match
• 3 weeks of paid time off each year
• 40 hours of sick time
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify:https://www.e-verify.gov.