Sr. Operations Associate, Labs - Flight Test Engineering Lead
DoorDash
About the Team
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and autonomy to transform last-mile logistics through drone delivery in the long term. If you have a passion for applying autonomous aviation technologies in a service used by millions of people, then we want to talk to you!
About the Role
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape flight test operations and drone delivery by:
- owning day-to-day flight test execution and operational readiness across test sites
- leading and mentoring a team of Flight Test Operators
- translating engineering test requests into structured execution plans and test cards
- coordinating execution across Engineering, Safety, Product, and Leadership
- ensuring regulatory, airspace, and internal safety compliance
- applying structured testing and feedback loops to support commercialization
- driving continuous improvement across operational workflows
- troubleshooting operational and technical issues in the field
This is an onsite role based in the Bay Area. Regular collaboration with cross-functional partners is required to support field execution, operational readiness, and rapid iteration toward commercialization.
You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…
- lead a high-performing flight test operations team and set the standard for safety, execution quality, and testing
- own operational execution and decision-making in dynamic, real-world flight environments
- build and execute structured test plans and test cards in partnership with engineering teams
- apply structured testing discipline and feedback loops to help move experimental systems toward commercialization
- shape scalable operational workflows, training standards, and documentation
- collaborate closely with engineers to validate autonomous systems in the field
- influence how new test capabilities, aircraft, and sites are safely introduced into operations
- solve complex operational and technical problems in real time
- support cross-site coordination and transportation in a growing flight test program
- communicate clearly with leadership on progress, risks, and operational performance
We’re Excited About You Because…
- you bring strong operational leadership and have experience leading teams in field-based or safety-critical environments
- you hold a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and understand airspace and regulatory requirements
- you have hands-on drone flight experience and strong operational judgment
- you understand how drones and autonomous systems operate, including flight controls, communications, sensors, and ground systems
- you have worked with PX4, ArduPilot, Auterion, or Herelink-based systems
- you can translate ambiguous engineering requests into organized, executable operational plans, including test card planning, risk management, and prior proper planning to ensure safe execution with sufficient personnel
- you communicate effectively with engineers, operators, and leadership
- you provide clear feedback, mentor team members, and build strong operational culture
- you are a collaborative problem solver who thrives in fast-moving environments
- you maintain high standards for safety, documentation, and accountability
- you drive operational efficiency and partner closely with Maintenance leadership to track aircraft status, readiness, and utilization
Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only
We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.
The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey
Compensation
Actual compensation within the pay range listed below will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, prior relevant experience, and specific work location. Base salary is localized according to employee work location.
DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.
To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.
See below for paid time off details:
- For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
- For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.