Senior Supplier Industrialization Engineer – Electric Motors

Zipline • South San Francisco, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, aiming to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine, and essential goods anytime, anywhere. They design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Zipline operates on four continents, making a delivery every 30 seconds and having completed millions of deliveries. Their system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back, with over 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown. The company is seeking practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth, motivated by building systems with a direct, meaningful impact and scaling the future of logistics. They are looking for individuals who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can achieve the impossible at record-breaking speeds.

This role focuses on leading the industrialization of electric motors for autonomous drone systems. The engineer will partner with engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, and global suppliers to ensure scalable, reliable, and cost-effective production. This is an in-person role based at Zipline headquarters, requiring approximately 50% travel throughout Japan and Southeast Asia to support strategic manufacturing partners.

Requirements

• 8+ years of Supplier Industrialization, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI or Operations Engineering experience.
• Experience launching high-volume electric motors or electromechanical products.
• Strong understanding of BLDC motors, servo motors, rotor/stator manufacturing, magnets, winding, bearings and automated assembly.
• Experience with global manufacturing partners.
• Knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001 and IATF16949 quality systems.
• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC and production validation.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% throughout Japan and Southeast Asia.

Nice To Haves

• Business proficiency in Japanese strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting aerospace, robotics, automotive, industrial automation or high-reliability products.
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with manufacturing transfers and supplier development.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier qualification, development and industrialization for BLDC motors, servo motors, geared motors, actuators and drone propulsion systems.
• Own supplier readiness from prototype builds through production ramp.
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, process maturity, quality systems and capacity.
• Lead APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, FAI, MSA, SPC and process validation activities.
• Drive DFM/DFA reviews with engineering and suppliers focusing on rotor/stator design, magnets, winding, bearings, balancing, thermal performance and manufacturing robustness.
• Lead supplier recovery activities and executive escalations.
• Drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity and reliability.
• Develop should-cost models and support sourcing strategies.
• Lead manufacturing readiness for design changes, new product introductions and manufacturing transfers.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Procurement and Operations to ensure successful product launches.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and supplier performance management.

Benefits

• Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.
• We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

What This Job Offers

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