Senior Quality Engineer

Zipline•South San Francisco, CA

About The Position

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, aiming to serve all humans equally by providing access to essential goods. They operate a global autonomous logistics system, making millions of deliveries. Zipline is looking for practical problem solvers who are motivated by building impactful systems and scaling the future of logistics. The ideal candidate is excited by large, integrated electro-mechanical systems and thrives on tackling difficult challenges. This role is crucial for ensuring the reliability and quality of Zipline's products, as families and patients depend on their services daily. This Senior Quality Engineer will be responsible for designing and scaling in-house final assembly lines for aircraft, zips, and docks, as well as critical sub-assemblies. The goal is to meet increasing demand, reduce costs, and enhance product quality in a fast-paced environment. The role requires managing multiple new developments, aligning teams, and driving solutions effectively.

Requirements

7+ years of experience designing and developing manufacturing lines - proven track record of scaling something from the 10s of products per month to the 1000s of products per month
Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFA): Strong understanding of how to influence product design for cost-effective, scalable, and reliable assembly.
Hands-on experience working with products that combine mechanical systems, electronics, and software integration.
Fixture and tooling design: Experience designing and validating custom fixtures, jigs, and tools to support repeatable, ergonomic, and efficient processes.
Manufacturing process validation: Deep knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, process capability (Cp/Cpk), and statistical process control (SPC).
Proficiency in 3D CAD Software (Siemens NX preferred)
Proficient in writing SOPs, work instructions, and process flow documents.
Familiar with statistical tools (e.g., Minitab, JMP, Excel) for analyzing yield, process capability, and production trends.
MES/ERP systems: Experience with manufacturing execution systems and resource planning software to manage production data and operations.
Skilled at identifying root causes and rapidly implementing sustainable corrective actions in a fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to work with design, quality, supply chain, and operations teams to deliver manufacturing outcomes.
Comfortable guiding and reviewing work of junior engineers and technicians.
Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting processes, presenting data, and aligning teams.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with minimal oversight—from planning through execution and sustainment.
Worked in a super fast-paced environment that is in a constant state of evolution.

Nice To Haves

NX is your primary CAD tool
Experience working with multiple different MES systems and transition to internally built MES system
End of Line Test Development Experience - wrote and scoped test plans, executed tests, analyzed data

Responsibilities

Develop and optimize manufacturing processes and documentation for complex electro-mechanical assemblies, from prototype builds to full-scale production.
Lead planning, budgeting, design, procurement, & commissioning of Assembly Lines and associated facilities & equipment at Zipline for Product Builds.
Lead process validation and verification activities, including PFMEAs, capability studies, first article inspections, and pilot builds.
Collaborate closely with design engineers to drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM), ensuring product designs are optimized for reliable and cost-effective assembly.
Own tooling and fixture development, from concept through fabrication, installation, and validation, to support scalable and repeatable manufacturing.
Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, reduce cycle time, and lower production costs (e.g., lean manufacturing, automation, poka-yoke).
Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, working cross-functionally with quality, design, and maintenance teams to implement corrective and preventive actions.
Support ramp-up of new products and manufacturing lines, coordinating cross-functional activities to ensure smooth transitions from development to production.
Track and analyze manufacturing performance metrics, including first-pass yield, throughput, downtime, and cost of poor quality, to drive data-informed decisions.
Provide technical mentorship to junior manufacturing engineers and technicians, sharing best practices and reviewing designs and process approaches.