Forward Deployed AI Engineer, Launch, Design, and Construction Handoff

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

1d•$112,500 - $300,000•Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is seeking Forward Deployed AI Engineers to bring Generative AI (GenAI) 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 tied to 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 partnering directly with users. The impact will be measured by the adoption, trust, and daily use of implemented systems.

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 launch operations, construction coordination, field operations, project management systems, workflow automation, or readiness dashboards.

Responsibilities

Own GenAI strategy and implementation for high-impact operational workflows and teams.
Build end-to-end AI tools and take them to production.
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 launch readiness, design coordination, service-level tracking, construction handoffs, regional readiness, partner readiness, owner and date tracking, post-launch debt, and blocker escalation.