Flight Test Drone Operator, Prime Air
External
Amazon.com · Seattle, WAPrepare for this interview
EliteAI-generated questions, company research, and talking points tailored to this role
About the role
Prime Air is Amazon's drone delivery program, pioneering autonomous aviation to deliver packages safely and efficiently to customers' doorsteps. Our Flight Test team plays a critical role
Additional Information
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! We're already delivering to customers and are excited about what's to come. For more details, check out the About Amazon blog: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-delivery-drones-safety-testing If you're 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 Amazon's 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 applicant's 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 briefing-reviewing 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 alike-you might fly a COTS drone for data collection in the morning and support developmental testing by afternoon. You'll go home knowing your work is shaping the future of drone delivery.