Visual Observer Dallas

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.

Our customers include 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.

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.

About You and The Role

You will join Zipline's Flight Operations team as a Visual Observer based in Dallas, supporting safe, repeatable autonomous aircraft operations that deliver medical supplies. This role exists to ensure public and crew safety during launches, flights, and deliveries by detecting, reporting, and mitigating airborne or ground-based hazards.

You'll operate at outdoor field sites supporting scheduled and test flights, working on a crew with Fleet Command (RPIC) and other operators. Your work directly enables reliable, lifesaving logistics under real-world weather, traffic, and community conditions.

What You'll Do

• 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 affecting launch and recovery.
• Provide concise go/no-go inputs to the RPIC and site lead.
• Conduct and record pre-operational site checks and verify safety equipment before each flight.
• Communicate real-time observations with RPIC, site lead, and crew using standard radio and hand signals.
• 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, including deployment of visual markers and safety barriers.
• Maintain operational readiness for day, night, and weekend shifts.
• Participate in recurrent training, competency checks, and required regulatory training.

What You'll Bring

• Must be 18+ and able to pass background and pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and ongoing testing.
• Availability for assigned day, night, and weekend shifts.
• Comfort working outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to stand and visually scan for entire shifts while performing repetitive safety-critical tasks.
• Clear radio and face-to-face communication skills in English.
• Ability to enforce safety rules and make decisive hazard calls during operations.
• Preferred: FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate or prior UAS/aviation experience.
• Reliable transportation to assigned sites during shift windows.

Working Conditions

• On-site work at launch and recovery sites with occasional schedule changes due to weather or flight demand.
• Both part-time and full-time schedules considered.
• Contract length approximately 3–6 months.

Success Metrics

• Timely and accurate hazard detection and reporting.
• Zero preventable airspace incursions during assigned shifts.
• 100% completion of required checklists and incident documentation.
• Consistent shift attendance and operational readiness.

Additional Information

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.