Head of Drone Operations

at DoorDash

Location

San Francisco, CA

Compensation

$170k–$250k USD

Type

full time

Posted

3/27/2025

Remote

Yes

Market range · company + function + seniority

$83k—$120k—$200k

p25 · target · p75 · n=67

Posted $250k · well above market

Posting health

Aging · 65

·Open 411 days

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Job description

About the Team

DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics in the long term. If you have a passion for applying autonomous aviation technologies in a service used by millions of people, then we want to talk to you!

About the Role

As the Head of Drone Operations, you will oversee all aspects of drone flight operations, ensuring full compliance with FAA Part 135 regulations and company safety protocols. You will lead a team of pilots and operations personnel with the chief pilot and Head of Maintenance reporting to you, develop and implement standard operating procedures, and collaborate cross-functionally to scale and enhance our drone delivery capabilities.

Due to the nature of this role, its required high touch point with the operation, and in person collaboration needed with engineering and product, this role is based in San Francisco and cannot be done remotely.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Certification:

Develop, implement, and oversee drone operations in compliance with FAA Part 135 regulations.
Thorough knowledge of the contents of Part 135 documentation and experience with writing and revising General Operations Manual (GOM) and Training Manuals
Ensure compliance with all FAA, DOT, and company policies and regulations.
Represent the company in regulatory discussions and industry events.

Flight Operations Management:

Lead the operations team through immense scaling, with the chief pilot and director of maintenance reporting to you
Lead the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and emergency response plans
Maintain operational readiness and ensure adherence to safety standards.
Manage flight operations, scheduling, and logistics for commercial drone deliveries.
Oversee training programs for pilots and operations personnel.
Monitor and analyze operational data to improve efficiency and performance.
Excited to be high touch with the operations team, observing operations from the field

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Scaling:

Collaborate with engineering and technology teams to enhance operational capabilities
Work closely with our commercial operations lead, understanding what the commercial goals are and matching them to our current state of flight operations

You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…

Be at the forefront of autonomous aviation and shape the future of last-mile drone delivery.
Lead a high-impact team in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Work with industry leaders in delivery, logistics and autonomous aviation
Build a team from the ground up with autonomy and trust
Develop scalable workflows that ensure compliance, safety, and efficiency as operations expand.

We’re excited about you because…

FAA Part 135 operational experience, including leadership in a commercial aviation or UAS environment.
Proven ability to develop and enforce SOPs for aviation operations.
Strong understanding of FAA regulations, airspace management, and compliance frameworks.
Experience leading teams, managing pilots, and scaling flight operations.
Background in risk assessment, safety management systems (SMS), and emergency response planning.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally.

Bonus Qualifications

Experience with commercial drone delivery operations or UAS integration into logistics networks.
Prior involvement in obtaining and maintaining FAA Part 135 certification for UAS operations.
Strong technical understanding of autonomous flight systems and aviation software.

Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only

We use Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023, and resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024.

The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: Covey

Compensation

The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.

DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.

See below for paid time off details:

For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).

The national base pay range for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.

$170,000—$250,000 USD

About DoorDash

At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.

DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.

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