Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician

Zipline; Half Moon Bay (CA); On-site; USD 48,216 - 61,992; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician in Half Moon Bay, California to keep prototype flight vehicles, ground infrastructure, and test equipment safe, configured, and ready for engineering development and field operations.

You’ll own hands-on maintenance and test execution, replacing components, preparing test setups, running endurance campaigns, documenting configurations, isolating first-order issues, and producing test reports that guide reliability improvements

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with mechanical assemblies and fixtures.
• Experience with electrical and electronic test hardware across power levels.
• Ability to instrument, execute, and document hardware tests with engineers.
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical drawings, procedures, and diagrams.
• Disciplined in organizing test data and maintaining configuration records.

Responsibilities

• Maintain prototype aircraft, ground infrastructure, and test equipment for testing campaigns.
• Replace vehicle components and perform checkouts with full documentation.
• Execute semi-automated checkouts, reliability campaigns, and endurance tests.
• Prepare test articles, instrumentation, and data-acquisition systems for tests.
• Verify completed maintenance meets safety, configuration, and data-capture requirements.
• Isolate first-order faults and escalate root causes to engineers.
• Produce test reports linking observations to reliability improvements and design iterations.
• Travel to Zipline locations across the United States as needed.

Skills

Machining & fabrication

Electrical & electronics

Test setup & instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Reading schematics

Documentation & data

On-site maintenance

Shift work readiness

Job description

About You and The Role

Zipline builds autonomous delivery systems that move essential goods. As a Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician in Half Moon Bay, California, you will keep prototype flight vehicles, ground infrastructure, and test equipment safe, configured, and ready for engineering development and field operations.

You will own hands‑on maintenance and test execution: replacing components, preparing vehicles and test setups, running endurance campaigns, and isolating first‑order issues. Your work enables safe test execution, reliable data capture, accurate configuration records, and evidence engineers use for design and vehicle‑readiness decisions.

This role is based on site in Half Moon Bay, California, with flexibility required to support testing operations at other locations across the United States.

What You’ll Do

• Maintain prototype aircraft, ground infrastructure, and test equipment to keep approved test campaigns executable and vehicles available for engineering work.
• Replace vehicle components, perform checkouts, and maintain complete maintenance documentation and configuration records.
• Execute semi‑automated vehicle checkouts, reliability campaigns, and endurance tests using documented procedures and repeatable setups.
• Prepare test articles, equipment, instrumentation, and data‑acquisition systems so test specifications can be executed as written.
• Verify completed maintenance and test setups meet documented configuration, safety‑check, instrumentation, and data‑capture requirements before test execution.
• Independently isolate and document first‑order test‑system or test‑article faults; surface deviations and elevate root‑cause resolution to engineers.
• Produce test reports that connect observations and data to reliability improvements, design iterations, and vehicle‑readiness decisions.
• Travel to support testing, maintenance, and operational needs at other Zipline locations across the United States.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience operating common machine‑shop equipment and building mechanical assemblies, fixtures, jigs, or test hardware.
• Hands‑on experience with electrical and electronic assemblies across different power levels and component sizes.
• Experience setting up, instrumenting, executing, and documenting hardware or hardware/software tests alongside engineers.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot test issues to a first‑order diagnosis and communicate clear evidence for engineering follow‑up.
• Ability to interpret electrical specifications, mechanical drawings, test procedures, diagrams, and incomplete work instructions.
• Discipline in organizing test data, maintaining configuration records, and communicating findings clearly in writing and verbally.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, on site in Half Moon Bay, California.
• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, including trips of up to two weeks, to support testing operations across the United States.

What Else You Need To Know

The hourly rate for this position is $35 - $45. 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.