Visual Observer

Socket.dev; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking operators for Flight Test Operations to monitor airspace, communicate hazards, and support safe, disciplined flight execution across multiple continents. You will participate in pre-flight briefings, monitor conditions, and escalate hazards as required.

The role involves working day and night shifts, including weekends, with a focus on safety, precise procedures, and rapid response to evolving flight conditions. Prior drone/UAS experience and strong communication are valued.

Qualifications

• Part 107 certification or drone/UAS/aviation experience preferred.
• Willingness to work full-time shifts including weekends, days and nights.
• Ability to follow flight procedures and maintain situational awareness.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and safety reporting.

Responsibilities

• Attend pre-operational briefings and complete required crew activities before flights.
• Monitor airspace along flight routes before launch and throughout testing/delivery phases.
• Identify hazards and conditions affecting flight safety; escalate or stop operations as needed.
• Call out safety concerns and elevate unresolved hazards through the flight crew.
• Maintain observation, communication, and discipline during flight operations.
• Maintain readiness for day, night, and weekend shifts and participate in training.

Skills

Sound judgment

Attention to detail

Flight procedures

Situational awareness

Independent work

Interpersonal communication

Education

Part 107 certification or drone/UAS/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.

Please Note

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.