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Flight Operations Inspector Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Warner Bros. Discovery

Flight Attendant

Burbank, CA · On-site

Maintain operational knowledge of galley located controls, cabin safety and audio/visual systems ... Inspect, clean and stock the cabin, galley, lavatories, and flight deck after every leg and at base

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Flight Operations Inspector information

See California salary details

$12

$26

$51

How much do flight operations inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight operations inspector in California is $27.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $31.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Flight Operations Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Operations Inspector, you need an extensive background in aviation, a commercial or airline transport pilot license, and in-depth knowledge of flight operations and regulatory standards. Familiarity with flight management systems, aviation safety protocols, and regulatory compliance tools such as ICAO and FAA documentation is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enable inspectors to assess operations and clearly convey safety expectations. These skills and qualifications are critical to ensuring compliance, promoting safety, and maintaining high standards in commercial aviation.

What is the difference between Flight Operations Inspector vs Flight Safety Specialist?

AspectFlight Operations InspectorFlight Safety Specialist
Required CredentialsFAA certifications, aviation safety trainingFAA certifications, safety management training
Work EnvironmentAirlines, regulatory agencies, airportsAirlines, regulatory agencies, safety organizations
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in airline operations and regulatory oversightFocus on safety protocols and incident prevention
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Flight Operations Inspectors and Flight Safety Specialists both work within the aviation industry, focusing on safety and compliance. While Flight Operations Inspectors primarily oversee airline operations and ensure regulatory adherence, Flight Safety Specialists concentrate on developing safety protocols and analyzing incidents. Both roles require FAA certifications and are vital for maintaining aviation safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Flight Operations Inspectors, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Flight Operations Inspectors often face challenges such as staying current with ever-evolving aviation regulations, handling high-pressure audits, and balancing administrative duties with on-site inspections. New hires can prepare by developing strong organizational skills, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of aviation standards, and building effective communication with airline staff and regulatory bodies. Being proactive about ongoing professional development and fostering a detail-oriented mindset can help navigate these challenges and ensure safe, compliant flight operations.

What are Flight Operations Inspectors?

Flight Operations Inspectors are aviation professionals responsible for ensuring that airlines and other flight operators comply with safety regulations and operational standards set by aviation authorities. They conduct inspections of aircraft, review flight procedures, evaluate crew qualifications, and monitor airline operations to ensure compliance with national and international aviation laws. Their work helps maintain the safety and efficiency of commercial and cargo flight operations. Flight Operations Inspectors often have significant experience as pilots or in other aviation roles before taking on this regulatory position.
What are popular job titles related to Flight Operations Inspector jobs in California? For Flight Operations Inspector jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flight Operations Inspector jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Flight Operations Inspector jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Flight Operations Inspector jobs? Cities in California with the most Flight Operations Inspector job openings:
Flight Operations Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Operations Inspector job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,159 per year, or $27 per hour.

Flight Test Operator, Half Moon Bay

Zipline

Half Moon Bay, CA • On-site

$37 - $45/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

About You and The Role  

Do you have excellent drone piloting skills, enjoy debugging drone hardware and software, and thrive on a collaborative, fast-paced team?  If you're committed to our mission of making access to life saving medical supplies a reality and welcome the challenge of flying newly developed drones, read on!

As designs evolve, it's critical that concepts are tested early and thoroughly to ensure our system architecture decisions are actually going to work in the field. On the System Test and Integration team, you will own flight operations of early stage aircraft, from custom prototypes through the bring-up of new production builds. This could involve manual R/C piloting, ground based checkouts for airworthiness, or leveraging Zipline's automated flight systems. Each day brings new opportunities to test and learn about our technology, so you can help Zipline advance the systems that our customers' lives depend on. Successful flight test operators for this team have strong aviation knowledge, top-notch maker skills and the interpersonal skills to coordinate activities across many teams.

What You'll Do  
  • Independently own all aspects of flight operations, looping in engineering support as needed to make quick progress:
    • Troubleshoot, maintain and upgrade electromechanical aircraft systems
    • Validate aircraft ahead of flight through a series of ground-based tests
    • Develop and maintain preflight checklists and other operational procedures
    • Execute flight tests across a variety of aircraft
  • Manage safety in a bustling test facility to mitigate risk from prototype flights
  • Document your processes from inspections to flight tests
  • Send out regular status updates to the team on challenges, failures and wins
  • Align with engineering on the best course of action to achieve flight test goals on time
  • Lean into the chaos, request support as needed, and dynamically prioritize projects as flight conditions change
What You'll Bring 

Must have technical skills

  • FAA Part 107 Certification 
  • Strong aeronautical decision making skills and familiarity with flight controller functions
  • 2+ years experience manually piloting quadcopter drones, professionally or independently
  • 2+ years experience with electromechanical build and troubleshooting projects (including hobbyist drone or maker projects)
  • Great communication, documentation and organization skills
  • Experience managing multiple competing projects with limited resources
  • Initiative to tackle any challenge that comes your way 
  • Interpersonal skills to leverage the strengths of a cross-disciplinary team

Nice to have technical skills

  • Hands-on experience working in a Linux command line environment
  • Ability to create rapid prototypes (3d printing, laser cutting, etc.)
What Else You Need to Know   

Please note that:

This is a full-time position

The starting cash range for this role is $37 - $45/ hour. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; overtime pay; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.
 
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!

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