Hardware Test Intern (Fall 2026)

Zipline • South San Francisco, CA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is seeking a Hardware Test Intern for Fall 2026 to join their Emerging Talent program. This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to Zipline's mission of building a system that provides equitable access to critical healthcare supplies. Interns are expected to take on meaningful work that actively contributes to Zipline's mission and learn real-world skills. The Hardware Test Team plays a critical role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and safety of Zipline's delivery drones by designing and executing rigorous testing strategies across various hardware domains, including avionics, power systems, mechanical assemblies, and sensors. The intern will develop a test asset, gaining a deep understanding of the system, which may involve designing and constructing mechatronic systems and developing automation scripts. The intern will own the test asset end-to-end, from concept to analysis and recommendations, for hands-on engineering and problem-solving.

Requirements

• Ability to interpret datasheets and write basic drivers for new components
• Understanding of fundamental electrical and/or mechanical engineering principles
• Experience working with common electrical test equipment (multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.)

Nice To Haves

• Experience programming in Python
• Foundational knowledge of embedded C
• Experience developing software that interfaces directly with hardware and instrumentation

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to define clear component and tester requirements
• Validate the design and assembly of components ranging from circuit boards to large mechanical or electromechanical assemblies
• Streamline testing, data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Gain deep expertise in the components or systems under test to understand their expected behavior under a variety of operating conditions
• Own a test asset through its entire lifecycle—from planning and implementation to system validation, troubleshooting, and analysis of results

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed