Engineering Test Technician (SMI)

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

7d•$75,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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)

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.
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.