Mobile Test Site Project Manager

About You and The Role

The Mobile Test Site Project Manager owns the strategy, organization, readiness, and deployment of Zipline’s mobile test sites. These sites allow Flight Test to access environmental and operational conditions that cannot be consistently reproduced at Zipline’s permanent facilities, including unique weather, terrain, and other edge-case environments.

This role develops the roadmap for the mobile test site program and ensures each installation can be deployed safely, efficiently, and consistently. The Project Manager will translate engineering demand into a forecasted deployment plan; own site selection, design, allocation, maintenance, safety, and security; and audit deployed sites to confirm established practices are being followed.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized, field-oriented project leader who can turn ambiguous testing needs into safe, repeatable mobile operations. They must be comfortable coordinating across engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, security, and external partners while managing multiple deployments in different locations.

What You'll Do

Program Strategy and Planning

Develop and maintain the roadmap for Zipline’s mobile test site program. Partner with engineering teams to forecast testing demand and identify when and where mobile deployments are needed to capture specific environmental or operational edge cases. Translate that demand into an executable plan covering locations, schedules, equipment, staffing, maintenance, and site readiness.

Site Development and Deployment

Lead mobile sites from concept through deployment, operation, and demobilization. Own location evaluation and selection, site layouts, infrastructure requirements, logistics, vendor coordination, deployment schedules, and readiness reviews. Establish scalable site designs and deployment standards that can be adapted to different test objectives and operating environments.

Operations, Maintenance, and Asset Allocation

Own the availability, condition, configuration, and allocation of each mobile installation. Maintain a clear view of where assets are located, when they are available, what maintenance is required, and whether they are ready for deployment. Partner with the designated maintenance owner to create and sustain preventive and corrective maintenance programs for mobile site equipment.

Standardization, Safety, and Compliance

Create and continuously improve standard operating procedures for site setup, operation, inspection, security, maintenance, and closeout. Own the safety and security framework for mobile sites, including risk assessments, emergency planning, access controls, and site-specific requirements. Conduct regular audits to verify that established standards are being followed and drive corrective actions when gaps are identified.

Cross-Functional Execution

Serve as the central program owner connecting the teams required to deliver mobile testing. Partner with Flight Test Engineering to define test objectives and test-card needs, Flight Test Operations leaders to secure and prepare operating personnel, and the maintenance owner to ensure installations remain reliable and deployment-ready. Communicate plans, risks, dependencies, and changes clearly to stakeholders and leadership.

What You'll Bring

• Significant project or program management experience in complex field operations, test operations, aviation, robotics, construction, logistics, or a similarly technical environment.
• Demonstrated ability to take an ambiguous operational need from initial concept through planning, deployment, execution, and closeout.
• Experience developing standardized procedures, readiness criteria, audit processes, and continuous-improvement systems.
• Strong working knowledge of operational safety, risk management, site security, equipment maintenance, and vendor coordination.
• Excellent cross-functional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence teams without relying on direct reporting authority.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to prospective and active mobile test locations, including sites in remote or challenging environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, estimated at up to 50% of working time, to prospective and active mobile test locations,

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting flight test, aviation, autonomous systems, drones, aerospace, or other safety-critical operations.
• Experience developing temporary or mobile operating sites and coordinating infrastructure, permitting, utilities, communications, or site logistics.
• Familiarity with demand forecasting, asset management, preventive maintenance programs, and operational performance metrics.
• Project management certification or equivalent demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-site programs.

Success in This Role

Success means Zipline can deploy the right mobile test capability to the right environment at the right time. Mobile sites are safe, secure, maintained, and consistently operated; deployments are planned against forecasted engineering demand; standards are clear and auditable; and the program provides dependable access to the edge-case conditions required to improve Zipline’s systems.

What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $96,300-$134,000; Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. We are always open to negotiation. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; overtime pay; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

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!