Senior Mechatronics & Hardware Test Engineer

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline is seeking a Senior Hardware Test Engineer in South San Francisco to own mechanical-heavy validation for critical assemblies and system-level behaviors, driving test plans from prototype through fleet deployment with cross-functional teams.

You will design rigs, automate data collection with Python, perform failure investigations, correlate bench tests to field performance, and mentor technicians to improve test throughput and reliability.

Qualifications

• Proven ownership of mechanical or electromechanical validation through development, qualification, production ramp, and field deployment.
• Hands-on experience designing and building mechanical test rigs, fixtures, instrumented assemblies, and automated cycle-test systems.
• Strong mechanical fundamentals including statics, dynamics, kinematics, fatigue, wear, and tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end validation of Dropbox mechanisms, structures, enclosures, electromechanical assemblies, and mechanical interfaces from prototype through fleet deployment.
• Translate product requirements and known failure modes into measurable test requirements and pass/fail criteria.
• Develop verification plans with coverage, sample sizes, margins, and exit gates.
• Design, build, and maintain test stands, fixtures, and data-acquisition setups.
• Automate test execution and data collection using Python or equivalent tools.
• Lead structured failure investigations and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Mechanical validation

Test rig design

Data analysis

Python scripting

Statistical methods

Failure investigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

3D CAD

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Zipline is seeking a Senior Hardware Test Engineer in South San Francisco to own mechanical-heavy validation for critical assemblies and system-level behaviors, driving test plans from prototype through fleet deployment with cross-functional teams.

You will design rigs, automate data collection with Python, perform failure investigations, correlate bench tests to field performance, and mentor technicians to improve test throughput and reliability.