Head of Drone Safety

Head Of Drone Safety

DoorDash Labs is developing one of the most innovative drone delivery programs in the world, building the systems and infrastructure needed to safely scale autonomous aviation. Safety is not just a priority, it's a core value. Our Safety Management System (SMS) is the backbone of safe operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational excellence. The Head of Aviation Safety will lead this effort, working closely with the Accountable Executive, FAA, and internal stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and compliant flight operations.

DoorDash is seeking a Head of Aviation Safety to serve as the designated safety leader for our drone delivery operations. This position is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of DoorDash's FAA-compliant Safety Management System (SMS) under 14 CFR Part 5. Reporting directly to the Accountable Executive, the Head of Aviation Safety provides independent oversight of all safety-related functions, ensures hazards are identified and mitigated, and drives a proactive safety culture across the organization.

This is a rare opportunity to lead aviation safety for a fast-growing, high-visibility drone delivery program and shape the safety standards that will set the bar for the industry.

Own:

• Develop, implement, and maintain a fully compliant Safety Management System (SMS) per 14 CFR Part 5, ICAO Annex 19, and industry best practices.
• Serve as the primary FAA point of contact for safety oversight and SMS performance.
• Establish safety policies, objectives, and performance metrics that align with both regulatory requirements and DoorDash's operational goals.

Build:

• Design and manage the Safety Risk Management (SRM) process to ensure hazards are systematically identified, analyzed, and mitigated.
• Oversee Safety Assurance (SA) activities, including internal audits, evaluations, safety performance monitoring, and data analysis.
• Implement robust reporting systems that encourage voluntary reporting, protect reporters, and ensure timely resolution of safety concerns.

Lead:

• Chair the Safety Review Board and coordinate safety decisions with senior leadership.
• Lead investigations of incidents, accidents, and close calls, ensuring root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor regulatory changes, industry safety trends, and emerging best practices to keep DoorDash at the forefront of compliance and operational safety.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and product teams to embed safety considerations into design, mission planning, and day-to-day decision-making.

We're Excited About You Because

• You have 8+ years of aviation safety experience with a focus on flight operations, UAS/drone operations, or flight test environments.
• You have deep knowledge of FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 5, Part 107, and Part 135), ICAO SMS standards, and proven experience implementing and managing SMS programs.
• You have demonstrated success engaging with FAA regulators, presenting safety cases, and leading regulatory audits or assessments.
• You possess strong analytical skills and are adept at turning safety data into actionable insights and risk mitigations.
• You are a respected safety leader who can influence across technical, operational, and executive teams.
• You thrive in dynamic, high-tempo environments and can make critical decisions under pressure to protect personnel and assets.

We expect this position to be filled by 12/14/25.