Regulatory Counsel, Aviation

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. Through our technology that includes 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 a Regulatory Counsel to support the upcoming launch and 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, Field 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, setting up 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) enthusiasm for program management execution, 2) regulatory acumen and 3) a passion for cutting-edge problem solving.

This is an in person role at our South San Francisco HQ. 

What You'll Do  

• Lead Zipline’s Aviation Regulatory Compliance process development and implementation across multiple functions. 
• Provide daily support of Zipline’s various design, manufacturing and test 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 

• 5+ years’ experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in the AAM space, manufacturing or production. 
• Experience in a highly regulated industry, e.g. Part 21, 43, 91, 121, 135 or 145 operations, quality control, compliance, safety, healthcare, transportation, uncrewed aviation programs or a combination thereof.
• 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