Drone Operations, Intern - Labs (Summer 2027)

DoorDash USA•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. The Drone Operations team maintains airworthy drones and operates them safely, supporting missions from experimental test flights through commercial delivery. The team works at the intersection of operations and robotics to address business problems with technical solutions. As a Drone Operations Intern, you will support daily flight operations for DoorDash’s drone delivery program, from test flights to commercial operations. You will gain exposure to pilots, maintenance technicians, quality and safety, and engineering, rotating among facilities to develop an end-to-end view of the program. During your first 30 days, you will learn flight procedures and safety practices. By 90 days, you will own a project to improve flight safety, reliability, or efficiency. Success means the team adopts your work and operations measurably improve. You will report to the Head of Drone Operations on the Drone Operations team in the Labs organization. The internship is 12 weeks long and is hosted during the summer. Interns receive weekly base pay, and are eligible for housing and relocation stipends, wellness reimbursement, access to an employee assistance program, in-office lunch credits, and other benefits and perks.

Requirements

Pursuing a B.S. or M.S. degree in Aviation Studies or equivalent.
Have no more than 2 years of full-time work experience.
Graduating between Fall 2027 and Summer 2028.
Available to start in May or June 2027.
Hold or be willing to obtain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Have hands-on experience building, flying, or maintaining drones or radio-controlled aircraft.
Be able to work in field environments involving extended periods of standing, repetitive drone handling, and outdoor exposure to varying weather, including heat, dust, cold, and wind.
Communicate clearly and follow safety procedures carefully.

Responsibilities

Work with pilots, technicians, and engineers to troubleshoot issues and improve procedures.
Review flight logs and mission data to identify trends in safety, reliability, and delivery performance.
Help run field operations at flight sites, including aircraft setup, loading, and recovery.
Own an intern project and present results to the team at the end of the summer.