Maintenance Systems & Regulatory Lead

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. 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

At Zipline, we are building the world’s first logistics system that serves all people equally, powered by autonomous aircraft and designed to deliver essential goods with unmatched speed, reliability, and safety. As we scale globally and prepare for new FAA Part 108 regulations, we’re looking for a Head of Maintenance Systems & Innovation to shape the future of how Zipline maintains its growing fleet.

This role is about reimagining maintenance systems from first principles, building scalable solutions, and creating a world-class programs team that ensures safety, compliance, and operational excellence at every turn. You will improve all requirements, eliminate processes, and then optimize, accelerate, and automate. This role serves as our Part 135 Director of Maintenance & Airworthiness for the FAA. If you thrive at the intersection of aviation, innovation, and leadership, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of autonomous logistics.

The successful candidate in this role will be able to lead the charge for Zipline, regulators, and the aviation community  on how to think about, design, operate, and execute mass UAS maintenance at scale as we prepare to become the largest aircraft operator in the US.

What You'Ll Do

• Lead the transition of our maintenance management systems and practices to meet the needs of a rapidly scaling global business, applying first-principles thinking to redesign systems' processes and procedures.
• Lead the modernization and overhaul of Zipline’s maintenance and airworthiness document management systems, ensuring they are scalable, auditable, and extremely user-friendly.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant aviation regulations, including FAA Part 135/108 operations and airworthiness standards in the U.S. and as we scale globally.
• Drive maintenance innovation for upcoming FAA Part 108 regulations, partnering with regulators and internal stakeholders to shape, interpret, and implement new requirements.
• Regularly engage with FAA senior leadership and other regulatory authorities to maintain trusted, long-lasting relationships.
• Develop, implement, and continuously refine effective maintenance plans, balancing safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure the readiness of emergency response and contingency plans related to maintenance and airworthiness.

What You'Ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in aviation maintenance management, with a proven record of managing teams and programs in complex aviation environments.
• Relevant experience to meet Director of Maintenance criteria as outlined in CFR 119.345.
• Strong understanding of FAA Part 135 and emerging Part 108 regulations, with experience engaging directly with regulators to drive compliant yet innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to apply first-principles thinking to redesign maintenance processes and management systems to meet the demands of scale, complexity, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Experience leading document control and compliance management system overhauls, ideally with digital-first or enterprise-wide document management solutions.
• Proven ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-growing organizations, balancing safety and compliance with innovation and operational agility.
• Strong communicator capable of aligning diverse stakeholders, from technicians and managers to executives and regulators, around shared safety and operational goals.
• Passion for Zipline’s mission to transform logistics through autonomous aircraft, with a commitment to safety, reliability, and excellence at global scale.

What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $160,000 - $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!