Visual Observer - Flight Test Operations Esparto

Zipline; Esparto (CA); On-site; USD 26,174 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

Zipline, the world’s leading drone-delivery company, is hiring for a Flight Test Operations role. You will monitor airspace around UAS flights, communicate hazards to the RPIC, and support safe, disciplined flight execution across multiple continents.

This full-time position requires sound judgment, strong communication, and the ability to work day, night, and weekend shifts. Part 107 certification is preferred, with training and growth opportunities available.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate sound judgment and attention to detail in flight operations.
• Strong situational awareness and clear, precise communication under pressure.
• Ability to work independently in challenging environments and adapt to shifts.
• Part 107 certification or prior drone/aviation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attend pre-operational briefings and complete required crew activities before flights.
• Monitor airspace and conditions along flight routes before and during testing and delivery phases.
• Identify hazards, escalate when needed, and implement immediate mitigations per procedures.
• Communicate safety concerns clearly and pause or escalate as required.
• Maintain operational readiness across day, night, and weekend shifts; participate in training.
• Ensure disciplined flight execution and maintain communications during operations.

Skills

Sound judgment

Attention to detail

Situational awareness

Communication skills

Independent work

Shift flexibility

Part 107 certification

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 days, nights, and overnight 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

Please Note

The starting pay for this role is $22/ hour.

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.