Drone Hardware Build Specialist

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline in California is seeking a Build Development Technician to support advanced hardware builds across development, validation, production, and remanufacturing.

You will perform wiring, assembly, troubleshooting, and documentation, with a focus on build readiness and adherence to procedures. The role requires strong craftsmanship and the ability to adapt to evolving hardware and build requirements.

Qualifications

• Over 4 years hands-on experience in UAV/drone, aerospace, robotics, automotive, manufacturing, or other complex hardware environments.
• Experience supporting hardware builds across prototype, development, validation, production, or remanufacturing environments.
• Strong hands-on electromechanical aptitude and troubleshooting capability.
• Experience working with complex mechanical and electrical assemblies, test equipment, fixtures, composites, machining, or integrated hardware systems.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, schematics, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• High level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and ability to deliver under schedule pressure.
• Strong communication and documentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical issues and tradeoffs.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced hardware environments where systems, processes, and priorities may evolve rapidly.
• Strong ownership mindset, process discipline, and ability to adapt to changing hardware and build requirements.

Responsibilities

• Build, integrate, rework, and support complex electromechanical hardware across development, validation, production, and remanufacturing environments.
• Perform hands-on electrical and mechanical work including wiring, soldering, system integration, composite work, machining, tester/fixture setup, and hardware rework activities.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, test, and system-level issues during hardware build and validation activities.
• Support hardware validation, functional testing, system checks, and hardware readiness activities across evolving hardware and production environments.
• Rework non-conforming or damaged hardware into build-ready, test-ready, or flight-ready condition when appropriate.
• Contribute to high-priority hardware builds, investigations, and non-standard execution efforts across Engineering, Manufacturing, Validation, Production, and Field Operations teams.
• Follow approved procedures, drawings, and engineering direction while maintaining strong documentation, traceability, and process discipline.
• Provide hands-on feedback to improve build execution, tooling, hardware recovery, and work instructions.
• Contribute to technical knowledge sharing and standardization of best practices across build teams.

Skills

Electromechanical troubleshooting

Hardware integration

Documentation & traceability

Reading mechanical drawings

Hands-on fabrication

Tools

Test equipment

Machining tools

Electrical wiring tools

Job description

Zipline in California is seeking a Build Development Technician to support advanced hardware builds across development, validation, production, and remanufacturing.

You will perform wiring, assembly, troubleshooting, and documentation, with a focus on build readiness and adherence to procedures. The role requires strong craftsmanship and the ability to adapt to evolving hardware and build requirements.