Flight Test Drone Operator, Prime Air

Amazon • Seattle, WA

3d • $33 - $58 • Onsite

About The Position

Prime Air is seeking an experienced Flight Test Operator who possesses strong judgment and adheres to strict flight discipline. Success in this role requires leadership, attention to detail, a safety-first mindset, flexibility, and a passion for drone technology. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and consistently delivers results on time. We are looking for a candidate who has a Private Pilot License, a current Part 107 certificate, and experience with drones. This candidate will be expected to lead a team for field operations, conduct flight tests, perform limited drone and ground support equipment troubleshooting, and support flight readiness activities and logistics planning. Experience with aviation safety is highly preferred.
Export Control License: This position may require a deemed export control license for compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Placement is contingent on Amazon's ability to apply for and obtain an export control license on your behalf.
This position may be subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing if conducting safety-sensitive functions as defined by the FAA. This includes pre-employment drug testing, random drug and alcohol testing, and testing in the event of an accident or incident. Employees must also submit to reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing when necessary. The FAA has strict requirements for drug testing, including the types of drugs tested for, the procedures for collecting and testing samples, and the consequences of a positive test. Federal law also requires Amazon to determine an applicant's DOT drug and/or alcohol testing history prior to hiring them into a position that would require them to conduct safety-sensitive.

Requirements

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities
• Travel up to 50% domestic travel with short notice
• Current FAA-issued 2nd Class Medical Certificate or higher
• Experience with remote-control aircraft/multi-rotor products
• 1+ year(s) experience as a lead PIC or mission commander in a flight ops or flight test environment
• Valid Driver's License and able to satisfy Amazon driver eligibility criteria

Nice To Haves

• Experience in aviation regulatory compliance
• Experience leading teams and driving results through team members
• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• Aviation safety experience
• Experience within the commercial drone industry
• 2+ years of RC pilot experience with excellent coordination and execution
• Private Pilot License
• Experience with drones

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor autonomous UAS flight paths; fly COTS drones for data collection missions, making real-time decisions within established procedures.
• Execute flight tests as a crew member, including formal drone handoff, test card review, contingency handling, and engineering escalation with follow-through on corrective actions.
• Operate and maintain test infrastructure, machinery, auxiliary vehicles, and ground support equipment; perform flight line maintenance between flights.
• Conduct risk assessments, lead safety/weather/flight profile briefings, and deliver flight and productivity metric reports.
• Create, review, and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); identify process gaps and drive resolution with partner teams.
• Apply troubleshooting procedures to identify root causes of defects and resolve or escalate appropriately.
• Support engineering customers during flight test execution, ensuring accurate test execution, clear communication of status, and traceability of flight test data.
• Execute ground test requests and contribute to crew scheduling.
• Mentor and develop junior specialists; operate as Trainer and Evaluator for flight test crew roles
• Participate in post-event reviews, document lessons learned, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Communicate proactively to reduce quality, accuracy, or safety misses; escalate issues requiring immediate attention.
• Participate in hiring activities including interviews and candidate evaluation.

Benefits

• health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage)
• 401(k) matching
• paid time off
• parental leave
• sign-on payments
• restricted stock units (RSUs)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level