Engineering Test Technician (SMI)
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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.
- Ability to lift and move up to 30â¯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 highâdemand periods
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with test automation or scripting (Python, C++, or similar).
- Ability to create or modify simple CAD models.
Responsibilities
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
