Visual Observer

Namely; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is expanding its Flight Test Operations team. You will monitor airspace, communicate hazards, and support safe, disciplined flight execution for drone deliveries worldwide. The role requires tight attention to procedures and strong interpersonal skills to coordinate with remote pilots and crew.

The position offers full-time hours, including weekends, with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge autonomous logistics and lifesaving medical supply deliveries across multiple continents.

Qualifications

• Part 107 certification or aviation experience preferred.
• Ability to monitor airspace and follow crew procedures.
• Willingness to work day, night, and weekend shifts.
• Strong situational awareness and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Attend pre-flight briefings and complete required crew activities.
• Monitor airspace along flight routes before launch and during testing.
• Identify hazards (non-cooperative aircraft, weather, events) and escalate as needed.
• Call out safety concerns and elevate unresolved hazards per procedures.
• Maintain observation, communication, and procedural discipline during flights.
• Be ready for day, night, and weekend shifts and recurring training.

Skills

Sound judgment

Safety oriented

Attention to detail

Communication

Independent work

Shift flexibility

Team collaboration

Education

Part 107 certification or aviation experience

Job description

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About You and The Role

The Flight Test Operations team at Zipline is growing, and we’re looking for individuals with sound judgment, excellent interpersonal skills, and exceptionally high standards. Success requires a process-minded approach on every flight, safety-oriented attitude, flexibility, and enthusiasm for using cutting-edge technology to deliver goods and lifesaving medical supplies on 3 continents around the world (so far), 7 days a week.

You will monitor assigned airspace and conditions around UAS flights, communicate hazards clearly to the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC), and speak up when a flight condition requires attention, a pause, or escalation. Your judgment directly supports safe, disciplined flight execution.

What You'll Do

• Attend pre-operational briefings and complete required crew activities before assigned flights.
• Monitor assigned airspace along flight routes before launch and throughout UAS testing, flight, and delivery phases.
• Identify non-cooperative aircraft, hazardous weather, local fire events, and other conditions that could affect flight safety. Initiate escalation and immediate mitigations per crew procedures and stop operations when required.
• Call out safety concerns, request a pause when conditions warrant, and elevate unresolved hazards through the flight crew.
• Maintain reliable observation, communication, and procedural discipline during assigned flight operations.
• Maintain operational readiness for day, night, and weekend shifts; participate in recurrent training, competency checks, and any required regulatory training.

What You'll Bring

• Sound judgment, close attention to detail, and a process-minded approach to every flight.
• Ability to follow flight procedures, retain situational awareness, and communicate observations accurately under operational conditions.
• Ability to work independently in isolated conditions for extended periods while remaining attentive and communicative.
• Availability for full-time shifts, including weekends, days and night shifts.
• Clear interpersonal communication and the confidence to raise safety concerns directly.
• Part 107 certification or prior drone, UAS, or aviation experience is preferred.

What Else You Need To Know

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.