Manager, Test Maintenance Operations

About the role

Zipline is seeking a Test Maintenance Lead to own test maintenance execution across Zipline's full test operations footprint, including test deployments for Truckzilla, Nest0, NestZ, Cascades, and any future test sites requiring maintenance support. This is a broad leadership role, not a single-site lead role. The role requires a hands-on leader with strong technical judgment, operational discipline, people leadership, and the ability to manage execution across multiple sites and shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Own test maintenance execution across Truckzilla, Nest0, NestZ, Cascades, and future test sites
• Build and maintain the test maintenance operating model, including coverage expectations, escalation paths, handoffs, prioritization, technician allocation, and site support structure
• Lead Test Maintenance Technicians, Assistant Leads, local/site maintenance support, and other assigned resources through daily priorities, execution standards, quality expectations, and escalation discipline
• Manage test aircraft return-to-service flow across all test operations, including blockers, parts constraints, inspection status, modification work, troubleshooting, and readiness for upcoming test events
• Serve as the primary maintenance execution owner for Flight Test, Engineering, site leadership, and MOE leadership when aircraft availability or maintenance readiness is at risk
• Coordinate maintenance support for special test configurations, life leaders, high-priority aircraft, Truckzilla operations, Cascades seasonal activity, and future test campaigns
• Maintain clear visibility into test maintenance backlog, aircraft status, return-to-service blockers, technician capacity, and upcoming demand across sites
• Partner with the Test Maintenance Program Manager to connect daily execution needs with program-level planning, cross-functional dependencies, staffing needs, and future site readiness
• Maintain compliance with SOPs, documentation expectations, configuration tracking, and audit readiness
• Develop the next layer of test maintenance leadership by identifying high-potential technicians or assistant leads and giving them structured ownership of sites, fleets, or operating lanes
• Align staffing plans with shifting test priorities, seasonal coverage needs, and future test-site growth
• Enforce shop floor standards, safety protocols, documentation discipline, and execution accountability across test maintenance environments

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in aviation maintenance, fleet operations, test operations, or related technical field leadership
• Proven track record leading maintenance teams in fast-paced, high-ambiguity operational environments
• Experience managing maintenance execution across multiple sites, fleets, shifts, or operating lanes
• Strong knowledge of aircraft maintenance standards, safety expectations, documentation discipline, and audit readiness
• Demonstrated ability to manage return-to-service pipelines, backlog, inspections, modification work, and aircraft readiness
• Strong people leadership skills with a focus on coaching, technician development, accountability, and building the next layer of leadership
• Operational discipline with the ability to manage KPIs, implement SOPs, enforce standards, and improve execution quality
• Ability to coordinate across Flight Test, Engineering, site operations, program management, and senior leadership
• Strong communication and escalation judgment, especially when aircraft availability, test velocity, or site readiness is at risk
• Flexibility to support shifting test priorities, seasonal operations, site growth, and a scaling maintenance environment

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in aviation maintenance
• Experience in test operations or similar fast-paced environments
• Leadership experience in maintaining high-quality standards and meeting tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement

Skills

• Technical proficiency in aircraft maintenance and repair
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Benefits

At Zipline, we offer a competitive salary range of $115,000 - $140,000, along with comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. We also provide opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $115,000 - $140,000.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule to accommodate the demands of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.