Real Estate & Development Intern: Build Drone Hubs

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-person internship

Spring 2027 internship

South San Francisco office exposure

Job summary

Zipline is the world’s leading drone delivery company, expanding its Real Estate & Development internship in San Francisco. Based in our South San Francisco office, you will support market screening, site selection, and the entitlements process from early review through permitting.

You’ll work with cross‑functional teams across Real Estate, Engineering, Operations, Government Affairs, and Communications to turn promising sites into operational drone delivery hubs while gaining hands‑on project

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering, construction management, architecture, geography, environmental studies, business, public policy, or related field.
• Demonstrated interest in real estate development, site acquisition, infrastructure, permitting, or built environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to evaluate information from multiple sources, identify potential risks, and form a clear recommendation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to work professionally with cross‑functional teammates, consultants, property owners, and public‑agency stakeholders.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate project information, and follow through on deadlines.
• Comfort learning new tools and working with maps, spreadsheets, plans, schedules, and project documentation; prior experience with specialized real estate, design, or construction software is not required.

Responsibilities

• Support market screening and site selection by evaluating zoning, land-use requirements, setbacks, utilities, easements, environmental conditions, and airspace considerations.
• Assess potential sites for feasibility and risk, identifying permitting hurdles, title issues, infrastructure constraints, and other factors that could affect development.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to translate technical requirements into practical site criteria, scopes of work, site plans, and permit‑ready materials.
• Learn how projects move through local approval processes by working with city planners, zoning officials, building departments, and external consultants.
• Coordinate with landlords, brokers, and real estate partners to evaluate site readiness and support negotiations, including letters of intent, leases, and required exhibits.
• Prepare comparative site analyses, deal memos, and recommendation summaries that help cross‑functional teams make informed investment and development decisions.
• Build project‑management skills by maintaining timelines, budget estimates, and entitlement trackers, communicating progress to stakeholders, and preparing complete handoff packages for downstream teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written & verbal communication

Project coordination

Map/spreadsheet tools

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering, construction management, architecture, geography, environmental studies, business, public policy, or related field

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Zipline is the world’s leading drone delivery company, expanding its Real Estate & Development internship in San Francisco. Based in our South San Francisco office, you will support market screening, site selection, and the entitlements process from early review through permitting.

You’ll work with cross‑functional teams across Real Estate, Engineering, Operations, Government Affairs, and Communications to turn promising sites into operational drone delivery hubs while gaining hands‑on project