Field Systems Engineer Pipeline

Zipline • South San Francisco, CA

3d

About The Position

Field Systems Engineering sits at the intersection of Engineering and Operations. We are responsible for understanding how Platform 2 performs in the real world, resolving its hardest technical problems, and turning what we learn into lasting improvements to the product and the way it is operated and maintained. As a Field Systems Engineer, you will own the health and performance of one or more Platform 2 subsystems. You will investigate complex and often intermittent failures using telemetry, software tools, physical inspection, and hands-on testing. You will lead issues from initial containment through root cause and corrective action, partnering closely with design engineers to ensure fixes are implemented permanently. We are hiring across several technical disciplines, including: Avionics, electrical systems, and embedded software; Perception, sensing, autonomy, and system software; Powertrain, batteries, motors, and power electronics; Ground systems, charging, and electromechanical equipment; Structures, mechanisms, and system integration. You do not need to be an expert in every area. Strong candidates bring deep expertise in at least one discipline, sound engineering fundamentals, and the ability to reason across hardware, software, and operational boundaries.

Requirements

• Approximately 3–8 years of relevant experience in field engineering, systems engineering, reliability, failure analysis, test engineering, product engineering, or hardware/software validation.
• A degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, robotics, computer engineering, computer science, or equivalent practical experience.
• Deep technical capability in at least one relevant discipline, paired with the curiosity and fundamentals to investigate problems outside your immediate specialty.
• Demonstrated experience resolving complex or intermittent problems in real-world systems.
• Strong data fluency and experience using Python, SQL, MATLAB, or similar tools to analyze logs, telemetry, test results, or fleet-scale datasets.
• Hands-on experience testing, debugging, or repairing physical systems.
• Experience leading structured root-cause and corrective-action work using methods such as fault-tree analysis, 5-Whys, FMEA, or equivalent approaches.
• The ability to move between detailed technical investigation and system-level decision-making.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain technical risk, evidence, and recommendations to engineering and operational audiences.
• A track record of taking ownership across organizational boundaries and driving ambiguous problems through implementation.
• A bias toward learning from the real system, validating assumptions with evidence, and delivering permanent improvements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with autonomous vehicles, robotics, aerospace, automotive, industrial automation, medical devices, or other safety- or reliability-critical systems.
• Experience with embedded C/C++, vehicle networks, telemetry pipelines, simulation, remote diagnostics, or over-the-air software systems.
• Experience with design validation methods such as vibration, thermal cycling, environmental testing, accelerated life testing, or HALT.
• Familiarity with reliability metrics, fleet health monitoring, prognostics, or condition-based maintenance.
• Experience developing technical documentation, maintenance programs, service procedures, or operational tooling.
• Experience supporting distributed field operations or products deployed in varied and demanding environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority for your assigned Platform 2 systems, developing a deep understanding of their design, behavior, failure modes, and operational use.
• Lead the investigation of complex field issues by combining telemetry and log analysis, physical failure analysis, bench testing, operator feedback, and first-principles reasoning.
• Provide technical leadership during field escalations, including developing safe containment plans and supporting hands-on troubleshooting when necessary.
• Drive issues from detection through root cause, corrective action, validation, and fleet implementation.
• Build software, dashboards, automated analyses, and diagnostic tools that identify degraded or off-nominal behavior before it causes operational disruption.
• Use fleet data to identify reliability trends, prioritize engineering work, and measure whether corrective actions delivered the expected improvement.
• Partner with design, test, reliability, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to develop solutions that balance safety, reliability, availability, and cost.
• Translate field experience into clear engineering requirements and influence future designs for reliability, diagnosability, testability, maintainability, and ease of operation.
• Develop and validate troubleshooting, inspection, repair, maintenance, and return-to-service procedures.
• Improve the technical systems used to communicate known issues, fleet risks, troubleshooting guidance, and engineering changes to field teams.
• Spend time working directly with the hardware and alongside the operators and technicians who use and maintain it.

Benefits

• 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!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior