Head of UTM and Airspace Integration

DoorDash•2h ago

United StatesOnsiteFull-timePrincipal Level10+ yrs exp

H-1B sponsor

About the Team
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last mile logistics in the long term. If you want to work on commercializing autonomy and robotics in a service used by millions of people, then we want to talk to you!
About the Role
UTM is the regulatory and technical infrastructure that determines whether DoorDash drones can operate predictably, at scale, in every market the company enters. DoorDash does not currently have a UTM function — and the forthcoming FAA Part 108,Part 146, and Section 2209 rules will make that gap consequential. Companies with leaders who helped shape these frameworks will have a durable advantage
those without will face compounding delays as the regulatory and operating environment becomes more demanding.
This role builds DoorDash's UTM capability from scratch, with a mandate to shape the regulatory, governance
technical environments simultaneously. The person in this role will be DoorDash's recognized UTM authority, holding trusted relationships across specialized aviation stakeholder groups that no other DoorDash employee can replicate. Their decisions will define DoorDash's long-term competitive position in an increasingly crowded drone delivery landscape.
This is a senior principal role, peer to engineering and product leadership, with explicit authority over architecture decisions
external representation. Scope includes strategy for detect-and-avoid and adjacent airspace integration topics, so that they are addressed holistically.
You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…
1. UTM Strategy & Architecture
Define DoorDash’s end-to-end UTM strategy, from architecture and regulatory roadmap to product feature sequencing. This includes:
Own the build-vs-partner decision for UTM (business case development, tradeoff analysis, executive alignment) and lead execution regardless of path chosen.
Own the UTM platform architecture: define top level interoperability and integration requirements across DoorDash’s drone products. Partner with engineering teams to ensure top-level requirements flow down through embedded and cloud software systems.
Own and architect long-term integration roadmaps that protect DoorDash’s competitive position in relation AAM/air taxis, BNATCS and other external drivers.
Collaborate on DoorDash’s Part 108,Part 146, and Section 2209 compliance roadmaps. Direct certification and regulatory workstreams with relevant SMEs across engineering, product, legal, and operations.
Influence UTM certification and regulatory requirements across markets so that international expansion needs are built into the platform architecture.
Serve as the internal authority on UTM risk: brief leadership on regulatory exposure, competitive positioning, and investment requirements.
Set DoorDash’s external positioning and messaging on UTM. Prioritize communications efforts to build public trust in UTM as a key enabler for the safety of DoorDash’s operations.
2. External Environment Shaping
DoorDash’s ability to operate drone delivery at scale depends on a regulatory environment that is predictable and practically achievable. This role actively shapes that environment:
Lead DoorDash’s representation in key collaborative venues where policies and standards take shape: JARUS, ASTM and GUTMA, for example.
Lead DoorDash’s engagement with the FAA on Part 108,Part 146
Section 2209 implementation as a trusted principal who shaped the underlying policy architecture from the inside. Engage similarly with UK CAA and EASA on their respective efforts on UTM and U-Space.
Achieve DoorDash’s leadership position in the US UTM Implementation Cohort and on the ASTM F38 ExCom so that our operator and service provider interests are baked into standards and governance decisions.
Collaborate on advocating for favorable airspace integration policies in the UK, EU, and elsewhere.
3. Build Organizational Capabilities
This role is responsible for standing up DoorDash’s UTM function from scratch:
Advise leadership on the UTM organizational structure and recommend headcount requirements.
Partner with engineering and product leadership to ensure that UTM requirements and investments are resourced and sequenced appropriately relative to DoorDash’s drone delivery growth plans.
Develop DoorDash’s internal UTM expertise through coaching and education. The company should not depend on a single individual for regulatory continuity, but should strive to build a bench of trusted experts who can work across domains.
Ensure at least one qualified DoorDash TPM or SME is actively contributing to each FAA-relevant standards development effort, and provide direct coaching and strategic direction to those contributors.
4. Business Accountability
UTM readiness is a critical path item for DoorDash’s drone delivery P&L. This role de-risks UTM strategy, compliance readiness
technical timelines, developing creative solutions so that UTM does not become a constraint on DoorDash’s drone delivery revenue growth or market expansion. The person in this role also anticipates competitor UTM positioning so that DoorDash maintains a leading or co-leading position in key decision-making forums.
We’re excited about you because…
This role requires a recognized authority who has shaped UTM and UAS regulatory frameworks. The right candidate will already hold the relationships, credibility
technical depth that take a decade to build. Specifically:
Deep expertise in UTM systems architecture, UAS operational risk assessment (including UA-UA collision risk), and the regulatory frameworks that govern both.
A track record of shaping aviation standards and policy at the international level, including direct participation in ICAO, JARUS, and ASTM F38, in leadership or authoring roles.
Existing, trusted relationships with FAA policy and rulemaking leadership, and familiarity with how the agency develops and implements new rules.
Experience in both government and industry UTM roles, with the ability to reconcile divergent regulator and service provider/operator perspectives.
Operational aviation background in air traffic control, flight operations, and NextGen deployment that provides credibility in safety and airspace integration discussions.
Compensation
The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location
market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.
In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.
DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees
includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental
vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance
a mental health program, among others.
To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here .
See below for paid time off details:
For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week
about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week
about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).
The national base pay range for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.
$155,800 — $229,100 USD
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn
reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery
we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly
gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges
own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness
overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry
cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences
perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources
opportunity to excel.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status
veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents
veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.
Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only
We used Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provided Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023. We resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024
ceased using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 30, 2026.
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Required skills

UTMdrone deliveryregulatory compliancearchitecturerisk managementstakeholder engagementpolicy developmentairspace integration