Flight Test Drone Operator, Prime Air

How do you deliver items to customers quickly cost-effectively and-most importantly-safely in under an hour And how do you do it in a way that scales Our teams of hundreds of scientists engineers aerospace professionals and futurists have been working hard to do just that! Were already delivering to customers and are excited about whats to come.

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If youre looking for an environment that fosters innovation where you can apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve real-world delivery challenges and make a positive impact on customers Prime Air is the place for you.

Join the Amazon Prime Air Team!

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 Amazons 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 applicants DOT drug and/or alcohol testing history prior to hiring them into a position that would require them to conduct safety-sensitive.


Key job 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.

A day in the life
Your day begins with a safety briefingreviewing applicable weather conditions airspace restrictions and the flight profile for the mission ahead. You prep the aircraft run pre-flight inspections and coordinate with your crew before heading to the flight range. Throughout the day you monitor autonomous UAS flights troubleshoot issues in real-time and document test results. Between flights you mentor junior specialists update SOPs based on lessons learned and collaborate with engineering teams to resolve technical challenges. No two days look alikeyou might fly a COTS drone for data collection in the morning and support developmental testing by afternoon. Youll go home knowing your work is shaping the future of drone delivery.

About the team
Prime Air is Amazons drone delivery program pioneering autonomous aviation to deliver packages safely and efficiently to customers doorsteps. Our Flight Test team plays a critical role in proving the safety of our System putting drones through rigorous testing that exceeds FAA requirements. From developmental test flights to real-world commercial operations we blend creativity and engineering rigor to push boundaries in unmanned aviation. Our team collaborates across engineering safety and operations to shape the future of drone delivery. Join us and help redefine whats possible in the skies.

- 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 Drivers License and able to satisfy Amazon driver eligibility criteria

- Experience in aviation regulatory compliance
- Experience leading teams and driving results through team members
- Bachelors degree in relevant field
- Aviation safety experience
- Experience within the commercial drone industry
- 2 years of RC pilot experience with excellent coordination and execution

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status disability or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process including support for the interview or onboarding process please visit for more information. If the country/region youre applying in isnt listed please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience qualifications and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including 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 and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at WA Seattle - 33.00 - 58.00 USD hourly