Autonomous Systems Validation Intern

Socket.dev; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking an System Validation Intern to contribute to testing Zipline’s Zip, Droid, and Dock systems. You’ll help build automated testing pipelines and ensure software meets high standards before in-flight testing.

You’ll work with a supportive team, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and addressing real-world engineering challenges. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, learning how to validate complex interdependent subsystems in a practical,

Qualifications

• Currently in at least the second year of an undergraduate program.
• Strong fundamentals in engineering design and root-cause analysis.
• Experience writing Rust or Python scripts to automate tasks.
• Hands-on experience writing Python tests with Pytest or Unittest.
• Familiarity with test plans/validation plans for software or hardware systems.
• Hands-on problem solving, debugging, and triage.
• General understanding of electrical systems (motors, sensors, onboard computers).
• Experience in Linux and using command-line tools.
• Familiarity with Git, Bazel, Jira for version control and workflow.
• Basic networking concepts (RPC or sockets).
• Experience with CI tools like GitHub Actions or Buildkite.
• Strong attention to detail and organization across test results.

Responsibilities

• Assist in executing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) tests and flight tests.
• Collaborate with engineers to build/refine automated pipelines for software testing.
• Design/improve tools to stress-test the system in off-nominal cases.
• Analyze/troubleshoot hardware and software issues uncovered during testing.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to design system-level validation plans.
• Develop/ enhance scripts to support automated testing workflows.
• Learn to ensure reliability/quality in safety-critical systems.

Skills

Python

Rust

Pytest

Unittest

Linux

Git

Jira

CI tools

Test automation

Debugging

Education

Undergraduate (2nd year)

Tools

Bazel

GitHub Actions

Buildkite

Job description

Zipline is seeking an System Validation Intern to contribute to testing Zipline’s Zip, Droid, and Dock systems. You’ll help build automated testing pipelines and ensure software meets high standards before in-flight testing.

You’ll work with a supportive team, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and addressing real-world engineering challenges. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, learning how to validate complex interdependent subsystems in a practical,