Lead Electric Propulsion Modeling Engineer

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is redefining rapid global delivery with autonomous aircraft. As a member of Zipline's Systems Modeling Team, you will own propulsion modeling, integrate across motors, inverters, gearboxes and propellers, and shape the technical roadmap for current and future programs.

You will lead validation campaigns and drive first-principles modeling, deploying software tools while collaborating with hardware teams to improve product performance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience developing and validating physics-based models for electro-mechanical systems.
• Strong heat-transfer fundamentals; lumped-parameter thermal networks.
• Experience designing experimental campaigns for parameter identification and model validation.

Responsibilities

• Own the electric-propulsion modeling roadmap, framework, validation standards, and deployment across aircraft programs.
• Lead trade studies informing propulsion architecture, sizing, and thermal management.
• Develop and validate physics-based models across multiple fidelity levels for simulation, hardware design, and fleet operations.
• Design and lead characterization campaigns for parameter identification and model validation.
• Build modular modeling frameworks and tools that are reusable across programs.
• Improve model fidelity by comparing predictions with lab tests and flight data.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, thermal, controls, flight test, manufacturing, and fleet teams.

Skills

Physics-based modeling

Electric powertrains

Aerospace systems

Numerical optimization

Engineering coding (MATLAB/Python)

Education

MS/PhD in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace Eng or related

Tools

ANSYS Motor-CAD

ANSYS Maxwell

JMAG

COMSOL

ANSYS Icepak

Job description

Zipline is redefining rapid global delivery with autonomous aircraft. As a member of Zipline's Systems Modeling Team, you will own propulsion modeling, integrate across motors, inverters, gearboxes and propellers, and shape the technical roadmap for current and future programs.

You will lead validation campaigns and drive first-principles modeling, deploying software tools while collaborating with hardware teams to improve product performance.