Legal Counsel, Aviation

About Zipline

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Using robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role  

We are looking for an Aviation Counsel to support the expansion of our next generation drone delivery platform, “Platform 2”, in the U.S. In this role, you will create order, develop and implement processes, and unify Zipline teams working on or impacted by aviation regulations. You will lead regulatory approval processes for cutting edge UAS technology in new markets throughout the United States. Your work will have an impact on Zipline’s operations across the globe, safely bridging the gap between existing aviation regulations applied to UAS and the technological innovation in UAS delivery spearheaded by Zipline. 

You will collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Flight Operations, and additional teams, listening and drawing from their expertise, experiences and needs. Your responsibilities on day one will be big: success in this role means developing expertise in the cutting-edge field of UAS aviation regulations, managing an aviation compliance framework, and playing a central role in drafting and executing the regulatory strategy that opens skyways for millions to reliable, on-demand access to essential products.

To thrive, you must have the right balance of 1) regulatory acumen, 2) enthusiasm for program management execution and 3) a passion for cutting-edge problem solving.

This role is based in South San Francisco, CA or Washington, DC.

What You'll Do  

• Lead Zipline’s US Aviation Regulatory Compliance process development and implementation across multiple functions. 
• Provide daily support of Zipline’s various design, manufacturing and flight operations  efforts; work cross-functionally to develop the best plan for timely and successful deployment of our aircraft. 
• Strengthen regulatory approval efforts by coordinating activities of the team, monitoring progress and removing obstacles along the way.
• Maintain Zipline’s regulatory files, regulatory database, and system for tracking communication with regulators. 
• Drive efficient execution of cross-functional regulatory projects and regulatory support for product teams.

What You'll Bring 

• 4+ years’ experience as a practicing attorney in the aerospace industry, preferably in the UAS space. 
• In-depth knowledge of FAA regulations and compliance best practices .
• Experience in a program management or leadership role with deep ownership of the outcome of projects. 
• Experience reviewing processes and process documentation to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Strong, effective written and spoken communication skills; the ability to build strong relationships with internal business teams and external stakeholders.
• Grit, resourcefulness, and resilience; an ability to thrive in novel, uncertain and constantly-changing business and regulatory environments.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.

What Else You Need to Know   

The starting cash range for this role is $170,000 - $200,000. Please note that this is a target starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash payment for this role will depend on various factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may include equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; 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, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

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!