Senior Systems Modeling Engineer

Zipline • South San Francisco, CA

4d • Onsite

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 design, build, and operate an autonomous logistics system, making millions of deliveries globally. Zipline's system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and saves people time. The company operates at a global scale and seeks practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth, motivated by building systems with a direct, meaningful impact.

This role is within Zipline's Systems Modeling Team, responsible for developing physics-based models to architect, optimize, and validate aircraft hardware and operational systems. Electric propulsion performance is critical for aircraft efficiency, mission capability, thermal management, operating cost, and fleet reliability. The Senior Systems Modeling Engineer will lead the development of Zipline's electric propulsion modeling capability, covering motors, inverters, gearboxes, and propellers. The models developed will guide propulsion hardware design, operating limits, thermal management, and control strategies, influencing engineering decisions throughout the product lifecycle. This is an engineering ownership role focused on the complete modeling lifecycle, from model development and parameter identification to experimental validation, deployment, and continuous improvement using data from laboratory testing and production flights.

Requirements

• 8+ years of industry experience developing and validating physics-based models for electric powertrains, aerospace systems, electric vehicles, robotics, or other complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to design experimental characterization campaigns for parameter identification and model validation, including defining test plans, instrumentation, and measurement requirements.
• Track record of using quantitative analysis and modeling to drive engineering decisions, including design trade studies, operating limits, performance optimization, or system architecture decisions.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, Julia, Rust, or similar languages, with experience developing clean, modular, object-oriented engineering code and reusable modeling frameworks.
• Solid foundation in numerical methods, optimization, controls, and engineering model validation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional engineering decisions through quantitative analysis.
• Ability and willingness to work onsite with cross-functional engineering teams. This role requires regular hands-on collaboration with hardware, testing, and flight operations.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience using high-fidelity electromagnetic and thermal simulation tools such as ANSYS Motor-CAD, ANSYS Maxwell, JMAG, COMSOL, ANSYS Icepak, or similar.
• Familiarity with production telemetry, fleet operations, or hardware test data for engineering model validation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate physics-based models of electric propulsion systems across multiple levels of fidelity, supporting aircraft simulation, hardware design, controls development, and fleet operations.
• Design and lead characterization campaigns for parameter identification and model validation, defining test requirements, instrumentation, and procedures for dynamometer, thrust stand, wind tunnel, and thermal testing.
• Drive engineering and operational decisions through quantitative analysis and trade studies, influencing propulsion architecture, operating limits, thermal management, control strategies, aircraft performance, and fleet reliability.
• Build and own clean, modular, object-oriented modeling frameworks and engineering tools that are maintainable, reusable, and scalable across aircraft programs.
• Continuously improve model fidelity by comparing predictions against laboratory testing and production flight data, identifying model deficiencies, and deploying validated improvements that increase predictive accuracy across the fleet.
• Partner closely with electrical, mechanical, thermal, controls, flight test, manufacturing, and fleet operations teams to translate modeling insights into better products and engineering decisions.

What This Job Offers

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