Controller (Pilot In Command)

About Zipline 

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.  

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role 

Zipline is looking for a Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) to join our Flight Operations team as we expand our operations at our newest Remote Ops Control Center in South San Francisco. The ideal candidate for this role has a passion for aviation, attention to detail, and the ability to leverage good judgment as part of a highly motivated team. This position will be based at our Control Center in South San Francisco, CA and will play a key role in the development and success of our growing P2 operations.

The successful candidate will be expected to meet and maintain the qualification requirements to act as an RPIC for Ziplines’s commercial drone delivery service and test operations. In this role, the RPIC is responsible for safely operating a highly autonomous aircraft system with multi-aircraft missions within and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), all while maintaining tight adherence to established policies, procedures, and FAA-associated regulations.

Note: Duties and responsibilities are expected to evolve to some degree as additional staff are hired, operations evolve, and new goals emerge.  The following reflects the most current duties and responsibilities for the Controller (RPIC) position.

Note: For continued employment in this position, you must successfully complete Zipline’s approved flight training programs (commercial and test) and receive a Zipline controller (RPIC) certification. The training program takes approximately 5-6 weeks and is conducted at our remote operations/training facilities in North Carolina and Northern California. You will be compensated for attending this training and travel expenses will be covered in accordance with Zipline’s travel policy. 

This is an onsite role based in South San Francisco, CA.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Safely execute commercial flights as the responsible person in charge for all uncrewed aircraft arriving, departing, and aloft (includes preflight planning, pre-shift briefing, ongoing weather checks, airspace monitoring, etc.)


• Separately conduct test flights as required, following all protocols and procedures as trained


• Ensure broader operational compliance with documented policies, procedures and regulatory permissions.


• Complete administrative and training tasks, qualifications, and proficiency activities quickly and/or on schedule.


• Ensure appropriate and timely response to downtime, fleet issues, and other abnormalities as observed. 


• Upon request, assist with audits and various aspects of operational oversight, including safety and compliance.

What You'll Bring

• Prior experience with UAS or traditional flight operations


• Sound judgment and decision making abilities in a time sensitive, safety critical environment


• Strong written and oral communication skills


• Technical problem solver, innovative, and data fluency


• Self starter attitude, jumps in to help at every opportunity


• Attention to detail, both in performing hands-on work and administrative or data related tasks 


• An ability to work well in a small team environment or independently

Technical Requirements

• FAA-issued P107 remote pilot certificate


• Completion of Zipline Flight Controller (RPIC) training


• Valid Driver’s license


• Must pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background check


• Must be eligible to work in the United States


• Must be willing to work some nights/weekends.


• Must be okay with traveling at a minimum of 10% of your time (IE: Training, new site launches, customer demands, etc.)

What Else You Need to Know   

The compensation range for this role is $45 - $48/ hour.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!