Visual Observer: Drone Flight Safety & Ground Ops

Zipline; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 25,003 - 35,610; Full time

Job summary

Zipline in Dallas is seeking a Visual Observer to support safe, repeatable autonomous aircraft operations delivering medical supplies. You will maintain line-of-sight, detect hazards, and coordinate with the RPIC and crew during launches, flights, and recoveries.

This role offers day, night, and weekend shifts with both part-time and full-time schedules; on-site work at Austin launch/recovery sites with travel to assigned sites.

Qualifications

• Must be 18+ and able to pass background and pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and ongoing random testing.

Responsibilities

• Own visual observation for assigned flights from pre-launch through handoff/recovery and until the aircraft is secured; maintain continuous, unaided line-of-sight of the aircraft and surrounding airspace.
• Detect and call out non-cooperative air traffic, people, vehicles, wildlife, and surface hazards; initiate escalation and immediate mitigations per crew procedures and stop operations when required.
• Monitor and report hazardous weather, smoke, or environmental conditions that affect launch/recovery; provide concise go/no-go inputs to the RPIC and site lead.
• Conduct and record pre-operational site checks per checklist; verify clear launch/recovery corridors, markings, and safety equipment before each flight.
• Communicate real-time observations and coordinate with RPIC, site lead, and crew during briefings and dynamic events using standard radio/hand signals and logs.
• Complete incident reports, flight logs, and post-flight safety documentation accurately and on time; support safety reviews and corrective actions to reduce repeat occurrences.
• Execute routine site setup and teardown tasks during shifts, including deployment of visual markers and safety barriers, and maintain site readiness for operations.
• Maintain operational readiness for day, night, and weekend shifts; participate in recurrent training, competency checks, and any required regulatory training.

Skills

Communication

Safety awareness

English fluency

Hazard detection

Tools

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

Job description

Zipline in Dallas is seeking a Visual Observer to support safe, repeatable autonomous aircraft operations delivering medical supplies. You will maintain line-of-sight, detect hazards, and coordinate with the RPIC and crew during launches, flights, and recoveries.

This role offers day, night, and weekend shifts with both part-time and full-time schedules; on-site work at Austin launch/recovery sites with travel to assigned sites.