Hardware Test Technician - Environmental & Vibration Lab

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a hands-on Environmental Test Technician to support R&D environmental chambers and vibration testing. You’ll work with mechanical, electrical, and data acquisition tools to ensure reliability and performance of flight-critical test assets.

Role involves maintaining 30+ environmental chambers, performing preventive maintenance, interpreting diagrams and PLC logic, and collaborating with engineers on test setups and diagnostics.

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 (but not required): Prior experience with HVAC/refrigeration systems, data acquisition systems (DAQs), sensors, instrumentation, or vibration controllers.
• Physical ability to climb ladders, lift equipment, and work in confined spaces.
• Flexibility to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and support shifting lab test priorities.

Responsibilities

• Maintain 30+ environmental test chambers used in R&D testing.
• Perform installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs for Espec, Test Equity, and Q-Lab systems.
• Schedule and conduct preventative maintenance including cleaning, consumables, inspections, and performance testing.
• Assist staff with delivery drone R&D environmental test setups, train users on equipment programming.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and water supply systems.
• Interpret PLC ladder logic, schematics, blueprints, and mechanical diagrams.
• Order, inventory, and manage spare parts, materials, and equipment.
• Coordinate and oversee 3rd-party contractors performing maintenance or repairs.
• Provide on-call response to emergencies according to criticality on a rotating basis.
• (continues in same vein to cover vibration testing duties)
• Support the vibration lab, including electrodynamic shakers, HALT chambers, and other test systems.

Skills

Lab equipment ops

PLC ladder logic

Hardware-software collab

Communication skills

Data organization

Machine shop

HVAC/DAQs

Physical stamina

On-call flexibility

Tools

Espec

Test Equity

Q-Lab

Job description

Zipline in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a hands-on Environmental Test Technician to support R&D environmental chambers and vibration testing. You’ll work with mechanical, electrical, and data acquisition tools to ensure reliability and performance of flight-critical test assets.

Role involves maintaining 30+ environmental chambers, performing preventive maintenance, interpreting diagrams and PLC logic, and collaborating with engineers on test setups and diagnostics.