Prototype Technician — Aircraft Hardware Prototyping

Namely; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Prototype Technician to turn new ideas into real hardware for aircraft and electromechanical systems. You will build rough mockups and flight-quality prototypes, selecting tools and processes to learn quickly and iterate safely.

You will translate sketches and CAD into functional hardware, fabricate parts, troubleshoot, test, and document changes to improve designs in a fast-paced aerospace/ robotics environment in South San Francisco.

Qualifications

• Experience across fabrication disciplines including machining, welding, composites, and sheet metal.
• Ability to troubleshoot unfamiliar electromechanical hardware when failures occur.
• Work from incomplete drawings or early concepts to build and test hardware.
• Experience building prototype electrical systems and sensors.
• Balance craftsmanship with learning speed; know when rough prototypes suffice.
• Clear communication and disciplined documentation of changes and failures.
• Strong safety awareness around high-energy systems; aerospace/ robotics exposure is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build first-of-their-kind prototypes for aircraft, mechanisms, and experimental hardware.
• Translate sketches and CAD into functional hardware using appropriate materials.
• Create mockups and flight-quality assemblies with suitable fidelity.
• Fabricate parts using machining, welding, sheet metal, and additive manufacturing.
• Assemble, troubleshoot, modify, and repair complex electromechanical systems.
• Instrument prototypes with sensors and DAQ systems; support testing and improvements.
• Document builds, configurations, failures, and lessons learned; feedback on manufacturability.

Skills

Fabrication experience

Mechanical intuition

Prototype electrical systems

Documentation and communication

Safety awareness

Tools

CAD software

3D printing

Machining

Welding

Sheet metal fabrication

Job description

Zipline is seeking a Prototype Technician to turn new ideas into real hardware for aircraft and electromechanical systems. You will build rough mockups and flight-quality prototypes, selecting tools and processes to learn quickly and iterate safely.

You will translate sketches and CAD into functional hardware, fabricate parts, troubleshoot, test, and document changes to improve designs in a fast-paced aerospace/ robotics environment in South San Francisco.