Field Systems Engineer (Intern, Spring 2027)

Zipline; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Field Systems Engineering intern to work in South San Francisco. You will collaborate with engineers, technicians, and operators on telemetry, logs, and bench tests to understand avionics in real-world conditions.

You’ll own a project with a mentor, present findings, and contribute to engineering decisions. The role requires strong communication and hands-on experience with hardware/software projects.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, robotics, computer science, or related field.
• Strong communication and willingness to learn from engineers, technicians, and operators.
• Experience with hands-on technical projects involving hardware, software, or both.
• Familiarity with CAD software to design, modify, or inspect mechanical parts and assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Support field systems engineering tasks using telemetry, logs, and tests.
• Build or improve scripts, dashboards, or diagnostic tools.
• Investigate avionics issues and propose fixes.
• Document methods, results, and recommendations for engineers.
• Present findings to inform engineering decisions.

Skills

Clear communication

AI tools proficiency

Data/log analysis

Hands-on hardware/software

Curiosity about failures

Education

Pursuing degree in EE/CS/Robotics

Tools

Python

SQL

MATLAB

CAD software

Job description

• As a Field Systems Engineering intern, you’ll help solve real problems affecting Zipline’s aircraft in the field
• You’ll work with flight data, test hardware, and collaborate with engineers and operations teams to understand how avionics systems perform outside the lab
• You’ll have a mentor and a project you can own, with opportunities to present your findings and see how they inform engineering decisions
• Investigate avionics issues using telemetry, logs, physical inspection, and bench tests
• Analyze fleet data to identify patterns in system performance and reliability
• Build or improve scripts, dashboards, or diagnostic tools that make issues easier to detect and understand
• Help design and run tests to check possible failure causes and proposed fixes
• Work with design engineers, technicians, and operators to learn how systems behave in practice
• Document your methods, results, and recommendations so others can act on them
• This internship is a full-time position, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Spring 2027 interns from January to April

Clear communication and willingness to learn from engineers, technicians, and operatorsMust be proficient and comfortable with using and building AI toolsAbility to analyze data or logs using Python, SQL, MATLAB, or a similar toolExperience with hands-on technical projects involving hardware, software, or bothCurrently pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related fieldCuriosity about how complex systems fail and a methodical approach to finding answersExperience using CAD software to design, modify, or inspect mechanical parts and assembliesHands-on experience building, testing, and debugging a physical system, such as through Formula SAE, Baja SAE, a robotics team, research, or a personal project