Remote Pilot in Command — High-Volume Drone Flight Tests

Namely; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing for its autonomous aircraft and delivery systems. Based at a Zipline test site, you will run repeatable mission profiles, identify failure modes, and work with reliability engineering, software, safety, and maintenance teams to improve performance.

You will act as Remote Pilot in Command, perform go/no-go decisions, and ensure safety during high-tempo operations.

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 certification required at joining.
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft.
• Experience owning go/no-go decisions, creating preflight checklists, and escalating safety incidents with clear documentation.
• Ability to lift and move 50+ lb equipment and work outdoors for multi-hour test windows.
• Comfort working in high-tempo, failure-heavy field environments with rapid diagnostics.
• Nice-to-have: Linux command-line comfort and automated flight systems experience.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end daily flight test campaign execution - Acting as Remote Pilot in Command for Zipline’s Autonomous Aircraft - executing high-volume mission profiles, reliability testing, regression testing, and fault injection testing
• Validate system performance through repeatable ground and flight test procedures across varied operating conditions
• Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware issues on-site to safely and efficiently return aircraft to flight
• Summarize test results: provide qualitative and quantitative analysis on aircraft and system performance - comparing results to expected outcomes, reliability targets, and safety requirements
• Escalate flight performance anomalies, recurring failures, and emerging safety risks to engineering and safety, driving discussion towards containment and resolution
• Enforce and improve site safety: manage risks during high-tempo flight operations, run briefings and debriefs, identify operational hazards, and refine SOPs to prevent repeat failures
• Support continuous improvement of test operations by identifying opportunities to increase throughput, consistency, data quality, and operational efficiency without compromising safety
• Location & schedule: This role is onsite at a Zipline test site (outdoor/field conditions). Expect to work weekends, night and overnight shifts, and occasional regional travel between test sites when required.

Skills

FAA Part 107 certification

Drone piloting experience

Go/no-go decision making

Test campaign ownership

Site safety leadership

Documentation and analysis

Linux command line

Tools

Linux command line

Job description

Zipline is seeking a hands-on Flight Test Operator to execute high-volume flight testing for its autonomous aircraft and delivery systems. Based at a Zipline test site, you will run repeatable mission profiles, identify failure modes, and work with reliability engineering, software, safety, and maintenance teams to improve performance.

You will act as Remote Pilot in Command, perform go/no-go decisions, and ensure safety during high-tempo operations.