About Dronazon
Dronazon is a dual-use autonomous cargo airline deploying FAA-certified fixed-wing aircraft on scheduled island-to-island routes in the Caribbean, with a parallel defense track targeting the U.S. Army, USMC, and SOCOM. Our platform carries 400 lbs at 200+ mile range at a target operating cost of less than one cent per pound per mile. We are pre-revenue and building toward our first scheduled Caribbean routes. NASDAQ uplisting is a primary strategic objective within 12 to 18 months.
This is not a drone company. It is an airline startup. We are building the operational machine from scratch.
The Role
The VP of Flight Operations is the person who gets the first aircraft flying on schedule and keeps it flying. This is a build-from-scratch role in a novel regulatory environment with no established precedent and no existing playbook. You will own the entire flight operations function — from FAA Part 135 certification and proving runs through dispatch framework, crew qualification, fleet readiness, maintenance coordination, irregular ops recovery, and on-time performance accountability across multiple Caribbean island jurisdictions simultaneously.
You will report directly to the COO and work alongside a VP of Regulatory Affairs who owns the airspace authorization strategy, a CFO who owns the unit economics model, and a Senior Operational Advisor who has stood up autonomous cargo drone operations from scratch.
If you need an established infrastructure to be effective, this is not the right role. If you are the person who builds the infrastructure, it is.
What You Will Own
Flight Operations Build-Out. Stand up Dronazon's FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate from scratch including GOM authorship, proving run execution, crew qualification frameworks, and dispatch protocols for autonomous cargo operations.
Fleet Readiness and Dispatch. Own aircraft availability, maintenance cycle coordination, go/no-go decision authority, and irregular ops recovery across Caribbean island routes operating in dynamic weather environments.
Regulatory Compliance. Partner with the VP of Regulatory Affairs on BVLOS authorization, Caribbean CAA engagements, and multi-jurisdiction operational approvals. Maintain FAA compliance across all flight operations and ensure audit readiness at all times.
Safety Management Systems. Build Dronazon's SMS framework from the ground up including hazard identification, risk mitigation protocols, incident investigation, and safety culture development across the flight operations team.
On-Time Performance. Own the OTP metrics, dispatch reliability, and route economics at the operational level. Understand and defend the fully burdened cost model per route in partnership with the CFO.
Team Development. Hire, train, and lead the flight operations team including remote pilot operators, dispatch staff, and ground coordination personnel as the fleet and route network scales.
What We Are Looking For
Non-negotiable. Direct experience standing up FAA Part 135 air carrier operations — not consulting on it, not overseeing it from a compliance function, but personally accountable for the certificate, the proving runs, and the day-to-day operational execution. If you have certified a Part 135 operator from scratch, we want to hear from you.
Strongly preferred. Experience operating autonomous or UAS platforms in a cargo or commercial context. Amazon Prime Air, Volansi, DroneUp, Wing, Reliable Robotics, or comparable. You understand what changes when there is no pilot in the cockpit — dispatch authority, go/no-go protocols, maintenance release decisions, and irregular ops recovery all work differently and you have thought carefully about how.
Preferred. BVLOS operational experience with direct FAA authorization track record. Multi-jurisdiction international aviation experience including Caribbean or Pacific island operations. Experience in austere or remote environment aviation where infrastructure is minimal and improvisation is required.
Military aviation background welcome. If you have commanded a flight operations organization, run a 24/7 ops center, or managed fleet readiness under high-stakes zero-fail conditions, those skills translate directly. We have several team members with AFSOC, Navy, and Marine Corps aviation backgrounds.
Qualifications
FAA ATP certificate or equivalent. Commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating minimum. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate. 5,000+ flight hours preferred. Direct Part 135 certification or proving run experience. Experience authoring or overseeing General Operations Manuals. SMS implementation experience. Familiarity with FAA BVLOS authorization processes. Prior experience in a startup or early-stage aviation environment strongly preferred.
Compensation
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience. Performance bonus tied to Phase 1 operational milestones. Meaningful pre-IPO equity participation. Dronazon is targeting a NASDAQ uplisting within 12 to 18 months.
Location
Remote with regular travel to Caribbean launch markets. South Florida base preferred given proximity to Caribbean operations. Willingness to relocate to Caribbean launch jurisdiction for extended periods during Phase 1 is a plus.
How to Apply
Send your resume and a brief note about your most relevant experience to [email protected]. We read every application. If your background includes Part 135 certification from scratch or autonomous cargo drone operational experience, say that clearly in your note — it will move you to the top of the list immediately.