Flight Test Operator - SkillBridge

This is a SkillBridge internship for transitioning U.S. military service members. As a Flight Test Operator, you will execute daily flight test campaigns for early-stage Zipline aircraft, acting as Remote Pilot in Command. You will validate airworthiness, troubleshoot hardware/software issues, and coordinate with engineering and safety teams to turn prototype flight software into reliable, release-ready aircraft. The role is based at Zipline's test sites in California.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end daily flight test campaign execution
• Act as Remote Pilot in Command for Zipline’s Autonomous Aircraft - executing mission profiles, feature testing, and fault injection testing
• Validate functionality through repeatable ground and flight test procedures
• Troubleshoot and repair software and hardware issues on-site to return aircraft to flight
• Summarize test results: provide qualitative and quantitative analysis on the performance of an aircraft as it completes its mission - comparing to a set of expected outcomes provided by engineering
• Escalate flight performance anomalies to engineering and safety, driving discussion towards resolution
• Enforce and improve site safety: manage risks for prototype flights, run briefings and debriefs, and refine SOPs to reduce repeat failures.

Requirements

• FAA Part 107 certification (required at time of joining)
• Experience piloting drones or manned aircraft
• Demonstrated aeronautical decision making and accountability: experience owning go/no-go decisions, creating preflight checklists, and escalating safety incidents with clear documentation.
• Operational intensity and logistics: Comfortable working in failure-heavy, iterative field environments where rapid diagnostics and repairs under time pressure are routine; able to lift and move 50+ lb equipment and work outdoors for multi-hour test windows.
• Ownership and communication: Proven ability to own test campaigns end-to-end, make safety-forward go/no‑go decisions, document results clearly, and coordinate across engineering, safety, and manufacturing to drive closure.

Nice to have

• Nice-to-have: Linux command-line comfort, rapid-prototyping skills (3D printing, basic machining), and experience with automated flight systems.