Assistant Site Lead, Nest Z

As Assistant Site Lead at Zipline's flight test facility, you will partner with the Site Lead to run the facility, lead the Ground Test Operator team, and improve how aircraft move from engineering development into flight test. You will own daily execution within established site procedures, including readiness, staffing coordination, and operator performance. Success means safe test execution, a ready site, a developing team, and improved test throughput and reliability. You will escalate safety concerns and cross-functional conflicts to the Site Lead, and when acting Site Lead, lead site operations and coordinate those decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily flight test operations, including operational briefings, readiness checks, and safe execution of test activities.
• Manage and develop the Visual Observer and Flight Test Operator team through hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance feedback, and career development.
• Own site readiness by coordinating facilities, equipment, layout, and operational needs with internal teams and vendors.
• Partner with engineering, safety, maintenance, and manufacturing to plan and execute complex test campaigns.
• Improve procedures, tooling, and workflows to increase test throughput, repeatability, reliability, and safety.
• Serve as acting Site Lead when needed, directing site operations and aligning cross-functional priorities so testing can continue safely.
• Represent Flight Test Operations during facility visits, explaining Zipline’s aircraft, test approach, and operational practices to technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Experience leading teams in aviation, aerospace, robotics, drone operations, military operations, or similarly complex operational environments.
• Experience managing operational execution in fast-paced, safety-critical environments.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Excellent operational judgment with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and execute cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance tactical execution with longer-term operational planning.

Nice to have

• Experience working in flight test, experimental flight operations, or prototype development.
• FAA Part 107 certificate or pilot certificates.
• Experience leading aviation or drone operations.
• Experience supporting facility or infrastructure development.
• Experience working directly with engineering organizations.
• Familiarity with autonomous aircraft or robotic systems.