Engineering Test Technician (SMI) at Zipline · South…

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

The hardware test environment is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for building and maintaining Zipline’s engineering prototype fleet. As a Test Technician, you’ll play a key role in validating new designs, building and maintaining tester equipment, and providing rapid feedback to engineering teams. This is a highly hands-on role that requires a strong background in assembly, troubleshooting, and instrumentation, along with the ability to clearly communicate issues and propose improvements that increase reliability and efficiency.

This role is 100% on-site at our South San Francisco office, 5 days per week.

What You'll Do

• Build and test prototype hardware across a wide range of maturity levels, providing manufacturability and efficiency feedback to engineering teams.
• Assemble, commission, and maintain tester equipment used to validate new hardware.
• Instrument test articles with sensors and data acquisition systems, ensuring accuracy and repeatability of results.
• Collaborate closely with hardware teams to identify issues, troubleshoot failures, and develop solutions.
• Proactively flag risks, inefficiencies, or opportunities for process improvements, and help implement changes.
• Design and prototype fixtures to support builds, tests, and maintenance tasks.
• Manage multiple hardware builds through various stages of mechanical and electrical testing.

What You'll Bring

• Over 3 years of industry experience
• Experience with prototyping, assembly, or manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems.
• Hands-on skills in instrumentation (sensors, DAQ, wiring, calibration) and troubleshooting test setups.
• A high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and ability to deliver quickly under time pressure.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical challenges and tradeoffs.
• A mix of skills such as soldering, harnessing, machining, technical documentation, or data analysis.

Bonus if you have:

- Familiarity with test automation or scripting (Python, C++, or similar).
- Ability to create or modify simple CAD models.

Other Requirements

• Ability to lift and move up to 30 lbs
• Comfort working with tools, chemicals, and hardware in a lab/manufacturing environment (including respirator use when required)
• Flexibility to support multiple shift schedules or overtime during high‑demand periods

The hardware test environment is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for building and maintaining Zipline’s engineering prototype fleet. As an Engineering Test Technician, you will work on the build, assembly, and testing of prototype hardware. This role will have you working closely and learning from our design and development teams to review how designs integrate to each other and brainstorm solutions to resolve hardware risks. If you're a self-starter with a strong background in building and testing prototype hardware, and you want to be a part of a team that is making a real difference in the world, then we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Build test articles at all stages of design maturity. Contribute manufacturability feedback to the design.
• Manage multiple prototype builds through various stages of electrical and mechanical tests to ensure performance of critical hardware. Lead electrical checks of fully assembled prototypes to ensure vehicles are flight worthy after assembly.
• Troubleshoot hardware and software failures by working closely with Electrical and Embedded Software Engineers.
• Brainstorm and prototype fixtures to resolve assembly or maintenance risks.
• Collaborate with Structures, Integration, and Mechanism Engineers to identify component issues and develop solutions that ensure our drones operate at the best reliability and performance.

What You'll Bring

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in a build or test technician role.
• Experience in prototyping, assembly, or manufacturing of electro-mechanical components.
• Experience writing code with Python, Java, or C++
• Ability to model simple parts using CAD software.
• High level of craftsmanship and attention to detail married with the ability to work quickly.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to explain technical challenges and solutions.
• A combination of: soldering, harnessing, machine-shop skills, technical documentation, data analysis.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.
• Must be able to work in person at Zipline’s South San Francisco Headquarters.
• Contract will require a 6 month commitment.

What Else You Need to Know

The starting cash range for this role is $75,000-$100,000 ($36-$48/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!