Construction & Development Associate, DFW Region

About Zipline

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. We aim 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 how 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 the Role:

As the Infrastructure Development Lead for the DFW Metroplex, you will own and drive all aspects of real estate development to establish Zipline’s ground infrastructure in the region. This includes managing the entire process from site identification through permitting, approvals, and construction. You’ll work closely with the Real Estate and Government Affairs teams to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and secure the necessary approvals to expand our network.

You will lead negotiations, manage external vendors, and ensure project timelines are met, all while maintaining alignment with Zipline’s strategic goals. Ziplines’ Community Engagement and Legal team will support you in fostering local partnerships and navigating jurisdictional processes to fast-track approvals.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Develop and lead pre-construction strategies to streamline entitlements and permits for our ground infrastructure.
• Manage construction projects, site infrastructure installments, construction contractors, and additional real estate development projects.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with City Managers, staff, and City Council members to facilitate smooth approvals from Planning and Zoning commissions.
• Collaborate closely with jurisdictions, land use counsel, and our Legal team to create pathways for drone delivery in evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Represent Zipline at public forums, including Planning & Zoning commissions and City Council meetings.
• Work with customer real estate teams to seamlessly integrate Zipline systems into both existing and newly designed infrastructure.
• Source and foster relationships with external stakeholders, including local jurisdictions, utilities, and contractors.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with pre-construction and construction phases.
• Engage with partners’ Real Estate and Government Affairs teams to ensure alignment on expectations and timelines.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• 4+ years of experience in real estate development or construction.
• Proven ability to manage entitlements and permits for infrastructure projects in collaboration with customers’ Real Estate and Construction teams.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to align internal stakeholders on project requirements and provide leadership with regular updates on challenges, risks, and opportunities.
• Experience with public meetings, city council engagements and speaking engagements / Public relations.
• 4+ years of experience working with external design teams (Architectural, Structural, Civil, MEPs) on commercial real estate or construction projects.
• Familiarity with working alongside Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to navigate permitting and inspection processes.
• Based in the DFW Metroplex, with the flexibility to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally to support expansion projects.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S.

What Else You Need To Know

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!