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.
About the team
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 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 what's 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 Driver's License and able to satisfy Amazon driver eligibility criteria
- Private Pilot License
- Experience in aviation regulatory compliance
- Experience leading teams and driving results through team members
- Bachelor's 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
https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t 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 https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, WA, Seattle - 33.00 - 58.00 USD hourly