Hardware Test Technician, Avionics

Telemetry Today LLC; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline in South San Francisco is seeking an Avionics Technician to build, rework, test and troubleshoot avionics hardware across development and qualification. You will partner closely with engineers to turn early designs into reliable hardware, identify build issues, and improve the processes used to assemble and test our systems.

This is a hands-on individual-contributor role without people-management responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience testing electromechanical hardware.
• Discipline in documenting build configuration, deviations, test conditions, observations, and failures.
• Ability to communicate clearly with engineers about build problems, risks, and potential improvements.
• Comfort working independently after the objective, procedure, and safety boundaries are established.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and effective laboratory and shop environment.
• Physical requirements: able to safely handle tools, test equipment, and hardware and participate in team lifts in accordance with established safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Test and troubleshoot avionics hardware.
• Collaborate with engineers to establish test plans and procedures.
• Document test execution and results clearly.
• Debug test failures and isolate issues to device or equipment.
• Communicate test status to engineers and broader team.
• Ensure safe, organized lab environment and accurate records.

Skills

Electromechanical testing

Documentation discipline

Clear communication with engineers

Independent work

Lab safety & organization

Physical handling of tools

Job description

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About You and The Role

Zipline builds and operates autonomous delivery systems that move critical goods reliably and safely. The Avionics team develops and supports the electronics, sensors, communications hardware, wiring, and electromechanical assemblies used across our aircraft, droids, and ground systems.

As an Avionics Technician, you will build, rework, test, and troubleshoot avionics hardware throughout development and qualification. You will partner closely with engineers to turn early designs into reliable hardware, identify build and design issues, and improve the processes used to assemble and test our systems.

This is a hands-on individual-contributor role without people-management responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Hands-on experience testing electromechanical hardware.
• Catalog test articles and equipment prior to test execution
• Interface with test engineering teams to establish test plan execution procedures and timelines
• Integrate test articles with test systems and execute tests
• Provide feedback to test engineers to improve test execution bandwidth
• Perform first line of defense in debugging test failures. Isolate issues to either the device under test or test equipment.
• Thoroughly document test execution and results
• Communicate test status and findings to a broad audience of engineers.

What You'll Bring

• Hands-on experience testing electromechanical hardware.
• Discipline in documenting build configuration, deviations, test conditions, observations, and failures.
• Ability to communicate clearly with engineers about build problems, unexpected behavior, risks, and potential improvements.
• Comfort working independently after the objective, procedure, and safety boundaries are established.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and effective laboratory and shop environment.
• Physical requirements: able to safely handle tools, test equipment, and hardware and participate in team lifts in accordance with established safety procedures

Traits: practical judgment, electromechanical curiosity, extreme attention to detail, great organization skills.

Nice to Have

• IPC J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, or equivalent certification.
• Experience with aerospace, robotics, automotive, medical-device, or other high-reliability hardware.
• Experience with RF hardware, antennas, flex circuits, fine-pitch rework, environmental testing, or electronics failure analysis.
• Experience developing work instructions, test fixtures, or repeatable assembly processes.

What Success Looks Like

• Avionics hardware is built and tested safely, correctly, and on schedule.
• Build and test results are documented clearly and remain traceable to the correct hardware configuration.
• Problems are identified early and escalated with useful technical evidence.Workmanship defects, rework, and recurring build issues decrease over time.
• Engineers can rely on you for consistent execution and practical feedback that improves hardware and processes.

What Else You Need To Know

The starting hourly rate for this role is $38 - $52. Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit,

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.