EMEA Regulatory Lead - Drones

DoorDash is seeking an EMEA Regulatory Lead - Drones to be the face of drone delivery to aviation regulators in the UK, the EU, and the Middle East.

The successful candidate will set the regulatory strategy, steer a specialist consultant team through permits and operational approvals, and shape how a new category of aircraft operation is approved in major markets.

Responsibilities:

• Own the regulator relationships as the primary point of contact for the UK CAA, the Irish Aviation Authority, EASA, and national authorities.
• Meet regulators directly to explain the concept of operations, technology, and safety case, and build trust.
• Advocate for policy changes that address authorities' concerns while enabling scalable, risk-proportionate deployment.
• Drive approvals by owning SORA-style application packages end-to-end.
• Manage consultants who do the groundwork on permits and operational approvals.
• Help sequence target markets and capabilities based on regulatory feasibility.
• Support the permit push once the launch aircraft is confirmed.
• Shape strategy and policy by partnering with DoorDash leadership on international deployment.
• Represent the company externally at European and Middle Eastern conferences and industry forums.
• Build the function by setting up processes, governance, and relationships.

Requirements:

• Traditional aviation background with a solid understanding of the drone and unmanned aircraft industry.
• 10+ years in aviation regulatory affairs, government affairs, or public policy with current depth in UAS regulation.
• Working command of JARUS SORA and national and European authority processes.
• Detailed knowledge of how the airspace system works.
• Experience assembling and submitting SORA-style packages.
• Strong communication skills to represent the company to regulators.
• Basic project management skills.
• Fluent English.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience as a regulator or existing network of regulator relationships.
• Experience in the Middle East or familiarity with the UAE regulatory landscape.
• A second European or regional language.
• Experience representing an organisation in UAS or UTM standards bodies and industry conferences.
• Experience in commercial drone delivery or other industry operations.