Forward Deployed AI Engineer, Site Acquisition

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

1d•$112,500 - $300,000•Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is seeking Forward Deployed AI Engineers, Site Acquisition, to integrate Generative AI into their complex real-world logistics system. This role involves working across software, hardware, aviation, robotics, healthcare, commerce, and field operations, with a focus on practical, high-stakes projects directly impacting production outcomes. The position is akin to an AI startup CTO within Zipline, reporting to the Head of Operations, working in a small team, owning project delivery from discovery to shipped product, and collaborating directly with users. The emphasis is on systems that are adopted, trusted, and used in daily operations, rather than just demos.

Requirements

Experience building things that work, with a resume highlighting built, shipped, automated, scaled, or realized projects.
Engineering mindset focused on delivering production AI systems, not academic benchmarks.
Experience building with LLMs, data processing pipelines, and analytics tools.
Comfortable decomposing messy business problems into reliable technical workflows.
Past experience building GenAI solutions.
Strong understanding of the AI landscape.
Solid foundation in machine learning basics (evaluation, training concepts, problem decomposition).
Strong coding proficiency in Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Java, C++, or similar languages.
Comfortable collaborating with technical and non-technical teammates.
Comfortable working in dynamic environments and iterating directly with users.

Nice To Haves

Ability and interest in traveling to Zipline sites as needed (up to 50%).
Experience with geospatial data.
Experience with real estate workflows.
Experience with sales or pipeline operations.
Experience with document-heavy processes.
Experience with field operations.

Responsibilities

Own GenAI strategy and implementation for high-impact operational workflows and teams.
Build end-to-end AI tools and take them to production to solve real-world problems across aviation, logistics, fulfillment, maintenance, customer operations, and commercial teams.
Collaborate with operators, engineers, product teams, and business leaders to understand user needs, define technical approaches, and implement solutions.
Bring learnings from the field back into Zipline’s broader AI tooling, platforms, and best practices.
Focus on site sourcing, broker intake, landlord outreach, parcel research, customer relationship management hygiene, site qualification, deal follow-up, and clean handoffs into real estate, legal, permitting, and launch workflows.