Senior Software Engineer, Hardware Test & Validation

Zipline; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Zipline, the world’s leading drone-delivery company, seeks a Senior Software Engineer – Hardware Test in South San Francisco to power automated testers for the next generation of P2 hardware. You will own test systems from prototype to production, with a strong emphasis on reliability, safety, and cross-functional collaboration.

You’ll drive end-to-end test campaigns, analyze field data, and work with vendors to verify future aircraft while enabling life-saving deliveries worldwide.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Python in high-volume production applications; some knowledge of embedded C and understanding of Rust desired.
• Experience with object oriented programming and automation systems for safety-critical/factory environments.
• Experience interfacing software with hardware including datasheets and hands-on validation.
• Proficiency with Git/CI and the software development and validation process.
• Ability to develop test plans, requirements, and criteria for hardware products.
• Experience using test instrumentation and data acquisition hardware.
• Strong problem-solving skills with minimal supervision; work well in teams.
• Authorised to work in the US; onsite role in South San Francisco.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and deploy test software and assets to validate components from avionics boards to sensors and mechanisms.
• Develop automation-centric software scripts to streamline design and production testing.
• Become a subject matter expert on component behavior under various environmental and system conditions.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external vendors to deploy high-quality test systems for vehicle builds.
• Drive end-to-end test campaigns from development through validation, certification, and production automation.
• Triage and root-cause field failures using data analysis, test heritage, and correlations with operating conditions.
• Develop automation scripts and visualization tools to streamline testing processes.

Skills

Python programming

Embedded C

Rust

Object-oriented programming

Automation systems

Git / CI

Hardware interfacing

Test plans

US work authorization

Multidisciplinary problem solving

Tools

Test instrumentation

Data acquisition hardware

Job description

Zipline, the world’s leading drone-delivery company, seeks a Senior Software Engineer – Hardware Test in South San Francisco to power automated testers for the next generation of P2 hardware. You will own test systems from prototype to production, with a strong emphasis on reliability, safety, and cross-functional collaboration.

You’ll drive end-to-end test campaigns, analyze field data, and work with vendors to verify future aircraft while enabling life-saving deliveries worldwide.