Planning & Development Specialist

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, dedicated to serving all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine, and essential goods anytime, anywhere. The company designs, builds, and operates the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, completing millions of deliveries globally, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. Zipline is currently undergoing rapid expansion across the U.S. This role, as a seasoned Planning and Development Specialist within the Legal team, will be crucial in guiding efforts to secure land use and zoning approvals for Zipline’s real estate footprint nationwide. The specialist will partner closely with Zipline’s operations, real estate, and customer success teams to enable the rapid and repeatable deployment of Zipline’s uncrewed aerial systems and related infrastructure across metropolitan regions.

Requirements

A strong command of local land use and zoning ordinances.
At least 5 years of relevant experience, ideally including a mix of following experience: within state or local government, as part of a land use and zoning law firm or practice group, and/or as a consultant.
Persuasive written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage a variety of stakeholders - including planning directors and staff, city attorneys, economic development managers, and community groups - with diplomacy and credibility.
Pragmatic, business-oriented risk assessment skills, with the ability to make confident, independent judgment calls and escalate when appropriate.
A proven track record of delivering high-stakes regulatory approvals under tight timelines, while maintaining composure and focus.
A proactive, resourceful mindset with an eagerness to tackle novel challenges and shape scalable jurisdictional engagement strategies.
Unwavering ethics, strong relationship-building instincts, and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience obtaining complex or first-of-their-kind entitlements preferred.
AICP certification preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute Zipline’s strategy for securing operationally critical land use, zoning, entitlements, and permitting approvals in key U.S. markets - including Texas, Arizona, and other major metropolitan areas.
Serve as a trusted partner within the Legal Team, interpreting, drafting, and analyzing municipal ordinances affecting Zipline’s operations and site development.
Build and maintain relationships with municipalities - including planning directors, buildings commissioners, economic development corporations, and local staff.
Represent Zipline in public settings - including at public planning commission and city council hearings, community meetings, and other key stakeholder meetings - regarding land use and zoning matters.
Partner with Operations, Real Estate, and Engineering teams to ensure that jurisdictional engagement strategies align with technical and operational realities.