Lead Electric Propulsion Modeling Engineer

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking an experienced engineer to lead the development of electric propulsion modeling capabilities for its autonomous aircraft systems. You will own the modeling lifecycle from first-principles development to validation against laboratory testing and production flight data.

You will collaborate with electrical, mechanical, thermal, controls, flight test, manufacturing, and fleet operations teams to translate modeling insights into better products and engineering decisions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of industry experience developing and validating physics-based models.
• Experience designing experimental campaigns for parameter identification and model validation.
• Proven ability to drive engineering decisions with quantitative analysis and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate physics-based models of electric propulsion systems across multiple fidelity levels.
• Design and lead characterization campaigns for parameter identification and model validation.
• Drive engineering decisions through quantitative analysis and trade studies.
• Build and own clean, modular modeling frameworks and tools.
• Improve model fidelity by comparing predictions with lab testing and flight data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate insights into product decisions.

Skills

Physics-based modeling

Electric propulsion modeling

MATLAB

Python

Julia

Rust

Numerical methods

Optimization

Controls

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Motor-CAD

ANSYS Maxwell

JMAG

COMSOL

ANSYS Icepak

Job description

Zipline is seeking an experienced engineer to lead the development of electric propulsion modeling capabilities for its autonomous aircraft systems. You will own the modeling lifecycle from first-principles development to validation against laboratory testing and production flight data.

You will collaborate with electrical, mechanical, thermal, controls, flight test, manufacturing, and fleet operations teams to translate modeling insights into better products and engineering decisions.