Ground Test Operator (Contract-to-Hire) at Zipline in Esparto, CA

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

Ground Test Operators support the flight testing and operational validation of autonomous delivery aircraft in a high-tempo test environment. In this role, you will execute test procedures, prepare delivery packages, operate ground infrastructure, and coordinate closely with engineering, flight operations, and maintenance teams to ensure safe and reliable testing.

Ground Test Operators also support installation and servicing of Zipping Point Autokiosk systems, aircraft ground handling, and incident response operations. This role may include deployments to mobile or remote test sites to support field testing and large-scale operational campaigns.

This role would start as a Contract role with opportunity to convert into a full-time position.

What You'll Do

This role supports the execution and validation of operational testing for Zipline systems by preparing, labeling, and processing test packages for partner operational validation and loading them through automated kiosks and Zipping Point infrastructure. The position also involves safely moving Zip aircraft around the test site between docks, operational areas, and maintenance facilities, as well as installing, inspecting, and maintaining Zipping Point Autokiosk systems to ensure consistent operational readiness.

Team members in this role contribute to large-scale flight test campaigns that enable high-volume operational validation. They may support flight operations in capacities such as Visual Observer, Zipping Point Operator, or Technician, playing a critical role in ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable testing activities. The role may also require deployment to mobile platforms, including Ziplines mobile Test Site and other satellite test locations, to support distributed operational testing.

Additionally, this position is responsible for responding to operational incidents, including the recovery of aircraft or field equipment and assisting with safety containment procedures when required. Team members are expected to identify and document operational issues, collaborate with engineering teams to support troubleshooting efforts, and contribute to the continuous improvement of procedures, testing workflows, and operational documentation.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow operational procedures in a safety-critical environment
• Ability to work outdoors
• Ability to work any shift and any day of the week to support continuous flight test operations

Preferred

• Experience in aviation, UAV operations, or flight test environments
• Familiarity with autonomous systems or robotics platforms
• Experience operating industrial or heavy equipment such as forklifts, lifts, or other machinery
• Experience troubleshooting mechanical or operational systems

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an active flight test environment, both indoors and outdoors
• Role requires walking across large test areas and working around aircraft and ground equipment
• Ability to lift and move packages or operational equipment as part of daily work
• Work may involve operating or working around industrial equipment and heavy machinery
• Work may occur in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain, depending on testing requirements
• Travel to commercial sites & remote test sites may be required up to 30% of the time

What Else You Need to Know

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!

Compensation: $22 - $26 / hour