Real Estate & Development Intern: Build Drone Hubs

Socket.dev; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline’s Real Estate & Development Intern in our San Francisco office helps expand the infrastructure that powers our autonomous delivery system. You will support projects from early site identification through approvals and development, turning promising locations into operational sites that serve customers and communities.

Work with teams across Real Estate, Engineering, Operations, Government Affairs, and Communications to tackle real‑world challenges at the intersection of aviation and

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with 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

Organization

Maps & planning tools

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree in related field

Job description

Zipline’s Real Estate & Development Intern in our San Francisco office helps expand the infrastructure that powers our autonomous delivery system. You will support projects from early site identification through approvals and development, turning promising locations into operational sites that serve customers and communities.

Work with teams across Real Estate, Engineering, Operations, Government Affairs, and Communications to tackle real‑world challenges at the intersection of aviation and