Construction & Development Manager

Company: Zipline
Location: Houston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About Zipline Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations. Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe. We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds. About You and The Role As the Construction & Development Manager, Houston Region, 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 and key associated areas - subcontractor management, invoicing and site install quality. You’ll work closely with the broader Deployment and Construction team, 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. Zipline’s Community Engagement and Legal teams 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 and inspectors to facilitate smooth approvals and permit completion from Planning and Zoning commissions and AHJ’s. 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. Source and manage general contractors and subcontractors across various trades (construction, assembly, electrical) during bid, pre-construction, construction and site commissioning project phases. What You'll Bring Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Real Estate Development, Finance, Business Administration, Urban Planning, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field 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. Ability to travel frequently 75% in the Sunbelt region with a near term focus on Texas (Dallas, Houston) and Arizona (Phoenix), travel to our head offices in California and other domestic states, and possible international travel 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, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies. 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!

Keywords: Zipline, The Woodlands , Construction & Development Manager, Executive , Houston, Texas