Land Use & Real Estate Counsel
Zipline is seeking a seasoned Land Use & Real Estate Counsel to lead efforts in securing and maintaining land use and zoning approvals for customer sites and charging infrastructure nationwide. This role intersects municipal, environmental, commercial, and property law, partnering closely with operations, real estate, and customer success teams to enable the rapid deployment of Zipline's uncrewed aerial systems across metropolitan regions.
Key responsibilities include developing and executing strategies for obtaining critical land use, zoning, and permitting approvals in key U.S. markets such as Texas and Arizona. The role involves interpreting and drafting municipal ordinances affecting operations, building relationships with municipalities and local staff, supporting community engagement efforts, and representing Zipline in public hearings. Additionally, the counsel will address complex property law matters, including easements and access rights, and ensure legal strategies align with technical and operational realities.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong command of U.S. land use, zoning, and municipal law, with experience obtaining complex regulatory approvals. A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal practice, ideally including both law firm and in-house experience, is required. The candidate should have persuasive communication skills, pragmatic risk assessment abilities, a proven track record of delivering high-stakes regulatory approvals under tight timelines, and a proactive, resourceful mindset. A JD degree and membership in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar are mandatory.
The starting cash range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000. The total compensation package may also include equity compensation, discretionary annual or performance bonuses, sales incentives, and benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid time off.
Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move, solving urgent access challenges by building and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally. Joining Zipline offers the opportunity to be part of a team that is redefining logistics, decarbonizing delivery, and providing equitable access for billions of people worldwide.