Real Estate & Development Project Manager

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Using robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

 

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role  

As a Project Manager based in South San Francisco, you will be responsible for rolling out our systems in Texas and Arizona, and paving the way imagining how the UAV world meets the built environment - not just for Zipline but for our customers and the industry as a whole. You will manage the entire development process from site identification through permitting, approvals, and construction across numerous metros. You will work closely with the Government Affairs and Legal Land Use team to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and secure the necessary approvals to expand our network.

You will also be working with the Engineering and Operations teams to tackle all the technical challenges we face head-on to get our customer’s sites operational as quickly as possible. You will have to be technically savvy, able to develop relationships with city officials, corporate partners, customers, suppliers and contractors. 

This position is based out of our regional office in South San Francisco and is an in-person local based role.

What You'll Do 

• Real Estate Search & Site Development:
  • Support site selection, feasibility studies, and risk assessments, ensuring compliance with local land-use, zoning, and aviation regulations.
  • Identify and mitigate preconstruction and construction risks, including permitting challenges, environmental constraints, and site-specific infrastructure limitations.
  • Work with engineering teams to develop site plans and drawings necessary for permit submission.
• Land Use Approvals & City Permitting:
  • Engage with city planners, zoning officials, and building departments to streamline permitting processes.
  • Local outreach and maintain relationships with city officials to secure approval for drone operations across municipalities.
  • Partner with Government Affairs to advocate for and navigate regulatory frameworks that impact site development.
  • Represent Zipline in public forums, including Planning & Zoning commissions and City Council meetings, advocating for site approvals.
  • Ensure all documents (drawings, legal descriptions, site-specific renderings) are complete and aligned with jurisdictional requirements.
  • Engage directly with municipal permitting departments to expedite approvals and resolve any blockers.
• Pre-Construction:
  • Provide support throughout the building permit application process, ensuring that all required documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Collaborate with external consultants to develop and refine drawings for submission to city authorities, while maintaining compliance with local codes and regulations.
  • Prepare and review conceptual cost estimates, presenting findings to internal stakeholders and incorporating feedback to align on budgetary expectations.
  • Assist with buy-out efforts and contractor coordination, engaging vendors as needed and ensuring all agreements and scopes are clearly defined ahead of hand-off to the Construction Team.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  • Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (deal owners, feasibility leads, engineering) to ensure alignment between regulatory and technical requirements.
  • Participate in internal site selection and review meetings to flag risks and maintain permitting readiness.
  • Provide policy and permitting input during early-stage feasibility and deal review.

What You'll Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Others), Real Estate, Development or Construction Management.
• 5+ years of experience in Real Estate Development, Permitting, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, and/or Public-Private Project Development.
• Strong understanding of zoning laws, building codes, and regulatory processes related to site development.
• Proven ability to manage entitlements, permitting and real estate development projects in collaboration with customers’ Real Estate and Construction teams.
• Proficiency in construction and design software such as Smartsheet, Bluebeam, (Revit / AutoCAD a bonus) and ability to review drawings and plans.
• Ability to interface with government officials, permitting agencies, and community stakeholders to advocate for and secure project approvals.
• Strong candidates should have excellent communications skills and experience presenting at public meetings.
• The individual will be based at Zipline's regional office in South San Francisco and will be expected to travel out of state up to 50% of the time to support Zipline’s expansion.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.

What Else You Need to Know