Field Systems Engineering Intern (Spring 2025)

About Zipline

Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building the first instant logistics system that serves all humans equally. Leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy, Zipline designs, builds, and operates a fleet of cutting edge, autonomous delivery drones. We serve tens of millions of people around the world.

Joining Zipline’s Emerging Talent program as an intern is an opportunity to contribute to our promise of building a system that provides equitable access to critical healthcare supplies for millions of people. We believe that internships are more than just opportunities to learn by watching or doing low level tasks. We expect our interns to take on meaningful work that actively contributes to moving Zipline’s mission forward, while learning real-world skills that will serve them in their careers for the long term. 

Join us, and build the future of logistics with the best humans around!

About the Field Systems Engineering Team

The Field Systems Engineering team sits between the Engineering and Operations organizations and is critical to ensuring that the equipment we design is usable, maintainable, and lasts as long as possible. Our flight and fulfillment operators drive Zipline, and their ability to use our hardware and software systems to serve our customers around the world, seven days a week is paramount to Zipline’s success.

The Role  

Ever wanted to see a test you designed not only run but directly improve real-world operations? As an intern on the Field Systems Engineering team, your primary objective will be to work on Platform 1, focusing on the development, testing, and deployment of a system improvement for the operations team. You will develop key project management tasks, such as establishing timelines, leading stakeholder meetings, providing cross-functional updates, and creating a detailed business case to assess the improvement's impact and value. This role will require travel to our test facilities, where you will develop comprehensive test plans and procedures, and design the corresponding instrumentation needed to accurately characterize and validate the system enhancement. 

In addition to your primary objective, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of repair procedures that will be incorporated into our manuals. This involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that the procedures are clear, accurate, and aligned with operational standards. Your work will help streamline maintenance efforts and improve overall system reliability. If working in a highly cross-functional environment, solving complex problems, and driving continuous improvement appeal to you, read on.

What You'll Do  

• Work on Platform 1 to develop, test, and deploy system improvements for the operations team.
• Manage key project tasks such as establishing timelines, leading stakeholder meetings, and providing cross-functional updates.
• Create a detailed business case to evaluate the impact and value of the proposed system enhancements.
• Travel to test facilities to design test plans, procedures, and instrumentation for system validation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and implement repair procedures in operational manuals.
• Contribute to improving system reliability and streamlining maintenance efforts through your work.
• Solve complex problems in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while driving continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring   

• You can communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and are talented at translating technical concepts into simple instructions
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to establish timelines, lead stakeholder meetings, and provide cross-functional updates.
• Analytical skills to create a detailed business case for assessing the impact and value of system improvements.
• Ability to develop comprehensive test plans and procedures, and design instrumentation for system validation.
• Willingness to travel to test facilities for hands-on development and testing.
• Problem-solving mindset and a passion for continuous improvement in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• You are an autonomous worker who can own and drive their own task management
• You are motivated by helping people and unblocking operations
• You are motivated to grow by building strong relationships with operations and engineering teams 
• You have the grit, resourcefulness, and resilience to thrive in novel, uncertain and constantly-changing business and regulatory environments
• You believe deeply that access matters and that we can and will provide access to essential medical supplies for every person on the planet 

Nice-to-haves:

• You have experience as a build technician, maintenance technician, or other hands-on operational experience
• You are familiar with a variety of technical components including mechanical, electrical, and software, and have experience on systems where they all interact
• You are familiar with change management frameworks and processes

What Else You Need to Know   

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Spring 2025 interns from January to May. 

The starting cash range for this role is $35.00 - 40.00 / 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, and working location. 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, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

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!

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.