Autonomous Drone Hardware Test Intern

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking an intern for the Hardware Test Team to help validate drones and subsystems. You will design and build test assets, including mechatronic systems, and create automation scripts coordinating sensors, actuators, and instrumentation with safety considerations.

You will own the test asset end‑to‑end from concept to analysis, gaining hands‑on experience in embedded electronics, avionics, sensing, and power systems while supporting rapid development and high‑quality hardware

Qualifications

• 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 have: Python scripting, with foundational knowledge of embedded C, and software interfacing with hardware

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

Job description

Zipline is seeking an intern for the Hardware Test Team to help validate drones and subsystems. You will design and build test assets, including mechatronic systems, and create automation scripts coordinating sensors, actuators, and instrumentation with safety considerations.

You will own the test asset end‑to‑end from concept to analysis, gaining hands‑on experience in embedded electronics, avionics, sensing, and power systems while supporting rapid development and high‑quality hardware