RF Engineer - Avionics (All Levels)
About The Position
Zipline is seeking an RF Engineer to help design, develop, validate, and sustain communication and navigation systems integrated into its autonomous aircraft avionics. The Avionics team builds robust hardware and software for drones operating in harsh climates and electromagnetic interference environments, with a focus on high performance, reliability, low mass, and low cost. RF systems support communications across Zipline aircraft, docks, droids, and general aviation aircraft, using technologies including 802.11, cellular, ADS-B, and GNSS. The role contributes to RF architecture and system-level design, including link budgets, interference analysis, and RF MAC-layer considerations. It also involves designing radios, amplifiers, filters, and antennas; developing tests and validation processes; coordinating regulatory certifications; and integrating RF systems with aircraft and ground systems. The engineer will collaborate across functions and provide technical leadership while supporting the existing fleet.
Requirements
- 3–10 years of experience in RF engineering roles.
- Past success developing electronics for critical systems in fields such as automotive, aerospace, transportation, or medical devices.
- Deep design experience in one or more of RF system design and analysis, antenna design, or practical implementation of complex RF systems.
- Strong understanding of communication system fundamentals, including linear systems, signal processing, and communication theory.
- Familiarity with RF design tools such as ADS, CST, Microwave Office, MATLAB, or Simulink.
- Demonstrated skill building and leading a team of engineers to achieve ambitious goals, with proven success.
- Enthusiasm for collaborating in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Clear communication skills and ability to explain technical challenges and solutions to engineers and non-engineers.
- Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on RF communications and design.
- Must be eligible to work in the US.
- Must be able to work in person at Zipline's South San Francisco office.
Responsibilities
- Own RF communications, including Zip to Zip, Zip to Dock, Zip to Droid, and Zip to GA Aircraft.
- Develop and implement RF engineering processes to ensure high-quality results on tight, deterministic timelines.
- Provide technical leadership in system-level design spanning RF link budgets, interference analysis, and RF MAC layer.
- Define, trade, revisit, and update vehicle RF architecture, optimizing at integrated vehicle and fleet system levels.
- Design radios, amplifiers, filters, and antennas to meet RF architecture and requirements.
- Develop confirmation tests, including functional, end-of-line, and system-level tests, to verify that RF systems meet specifications.
- Coordinate regulatory and industry certification for domestic and international markets.
- Coordinate with Avionics and Ground Systems teams to implement RF systems in the aircraft's highly integrated flight computer and the Zip Dock.
- Coordinate with GNC, Aero, Perception, and other teams to determine RF performance requirements, identify tradeoffs, and ensure reliable operation for downstream systems.
- Sustain the operation of existing avionics systems across the existing fleet.
Benefits
- Equity compensation may be included in the total compensation package.
- Discretionary annual or performance bonuses may be included.
- Sales incentives may be included.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Paid time off.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
