- Salary
- $78k – $102k
- Location
- San Luis Obispo, California, United States
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Engineering
- Experience
- 2+ years
- Source
- Greenhouse
Description
At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.
We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.
At Zone 5 Technologies, the Test and Evaluation Operations Scheduler will coordinate the personnel, range access, facilities, equipment, and operational support required to execute flight-test activities across multiple programs.
This role is highly detail-oriented, execution-focused, and communication-driven, working cross-functionally with Technical Program Managers (TPMs), Test and Evaluation, Engineering, Operations, Logistics, Safety, Security, and external test-site personnel to develop and maintain an integrated flight-test schedule.
The Test and Evaluation Operations Scheduler will translate program forecasts into executable operating plans, identify personnel and resource conflicts, coordinate range and test-site requirements, and maintain clear schedule visibility across the organization.
In this role, you are expected to operate with strong ownership and attention to detail, ensuring upcoming operations are coordinated early, conflicts are identified before they impact execution, and schedule changes are communicated clearly and quickly.
Responsibilities
Integrated Flight-Test Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and maintain an integrated, cross-program flight-test schedule
- Translate program forecasts into long-range, rolling look-ahead, and daily execution schedules
- Identify schedule dependencies, resource constraints, competing priorities, and planning risks
- Maintain schedule accuracy, version control, and change visibility
- Coordinate schedule changes while minimizing impacts to programs and test operations
Range & Test-Site Coordination
- Request, reserve, and track range time, airspace, facilities, and test-site resources
- Coordinate requirements, deadlines, approvals, and schedule changes with internal and external stakeholders
- Maintain visibility of range limitations, blackout periods, site conflicts, and outstanding actions
- Coordinate site access, travel, and operational support requirements
Personnel & Resource Planning
- Coordinate with functional managers to identify qualified personnel required for upcoming operations
- Forecast staffing requirements and identify personnel gaps before they impact test execution
- Coordinate shared aircraft, test articles, vehicles, ground-support equipment, communications equipment, and other resources
- Identify cross-program conflicts and develop options for leadership resolution
Schedule Communication & Leadership Briefing
- Facilitate recurring flight-test planning and scheduling meetings
- Publish clear schedule products for program teams, functional managers, and leadership
- Brief upcoming operations, resource constraints, schedule risks, conflicts, and required decisions
- Maintain action, dependency, decision, and risk tracking associated with scheduled operations
Execution Support & Process Improvement
- Support daily flight-test operations and rapidly replan around weather, range, technical, personnel, or program changes
- Track delays, cancellations, resource utilization, and recurring scheduling constraints
- Develop standardized planning workflows, templates, metrics, and operating procedures
- Capture lessons learned and continuously improve flight-test planning processes
Qualifications
- 2–7+ years of experience in operations planning, scheduling, program coordination, logistics, workforce planning, or similar roles
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent activities, stakeholders, and deadlines
- Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to identify conflicts, develop practical options, and communicate recommendations
- Strong written, verbal, and leadership briefing skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and scheduling or project-management systems
- Ability to operate effectively in a rapidly changing operational environment
- Ability to support occasional travel and changing flight-test schedules as required
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Business, Operations Management, Project Management, Logistics, or a related field
- Aerospace, defense, UAS, aviation, flight-test, or military test experience
- Experience coordinating government ranges, test sites, airspace, or external operational partners
- Experience developing resource-loaded schedules and workforce capacity plans
- Familiarity with flight-test planning, readiness reviews, test cards, and range documentation
- Experience with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Jira, or equivalent scheduling tools
- Experience developing dashboards, schedule metrics, and leadership briefing products
Level II: $78,000 - $102,000
Level III: $91,000 - $119,000
Level IV: $115,000 - $156,000
What's in it for you:
Benefits:
- Competitive total compensation package
- Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
- 401k with company-match
- 3 weeks of paid time off each year
- 40 hours of sick time
- 12 annual company holidays
Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?
- Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
- Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.