Environmental Test Tech: On-Call Vibration & HVAC Lab

Telemetry Today LLC; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Structural Testing technician to join our R&D labs in South San Francisco. You will manage and support 30+ environmental test chambers and perform vibration tests to validate high‑quality designs for our autonomous logistics systems.

You will collaborate with design and reliability teams, interpret PLC ladder logic, and oversee test fixtures and data analysis to drive root-cause investigations. A hands-on background in mechanical/electrical lab environments is essential.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, or lab test equipment.
• Ability to interpret PLC ladder logic, electrical specifications, schematics, blueprints, and mechanical drawings.
• Experience working on hardware/software projects and collaborating with hardware engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to organize data in a way that is easy to understand and present facts clearly.
• Hands-on experience in a machine shop, with proficiency in operating common mechanical equipment.
• Preferred: HVAC/refrigeration systems, DAQs, sensors, instrumentation, or vibration controllers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain 30+ environmental test chambers used in R&D testing.
• Perform installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs for Espec, Test Equity, and Q-Lab chamber systems.
• Schedule and conduct preventative maintenance to maximize equipment uptime.
• Assist with delivery drone R&D test setups and train users on equipment programming.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and water systems.
• Interpret PLC ladder logic and schematics to support tests.
• Order, inventory, and manage spare parts and coordinate with contractors.
• Provide on-call response on a rotating basis.
• Support the vibration lab and test campaigns including on-site support at flight test locations.

Skills

Industrial equipment operation

PLC ladder logic

Hardware integration

Communication skills

Data organization

Machining

HVAC/refrigeration (pref)

Tools

Espec environmental chambers

Test Equity equipment

Q-Lab equipment

Job description

Zipline is seeking a Structural Testing technician to join our R&D labs in South San Francisco. You will manage and support 30+ environmental test chambers and perform vibration tests to validate high‑quality designs for our autonomous logistics systems.

You will collaborate with design and reliability teams, interpret PLC ladder logic, and oversee test fixtures and data analysis to drive root-cause investigations. A hands-on background in mechanical/electrical lab environments is essential.