Structural Engineer

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

Job summary

Zipline, based in South San Francisco, is seeking a licensed structural engineer to own the design of charging towers, zipping points, and foundations for our autonomous delivery ground systems. You will ensure code‑compliant, constructible site deployments and release calculations and drawings.

You will lead permitting coordination with AHJs, cities, inspectors and partners, develop reusable standards, and work with cross‑functional teams to optimize safety, quality, and deployment cost.

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Structural Engineering.
• 5–8+ years of structural design experience including steel and/or concrete design.
• Working knowledge of IBC, ASCE 7, AISC and related structural codes and standards.
• Experience supporting permitting, approvals, and coordination with authorities having jurisdiction.
• Ability to solve first‑of‑kind structural problems and communicate clear technical decisions across engineering, business, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work from Zipline’s South San Francisco headquarters and travel intermittently to project sites in the US and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own structural analysis and design for charging towers, zipping points, foundations, and related ground‑system structures.
• Produce and technically release structural calculations, drawings, and documentation for code‑compliant, constructible site deployments.
• Develop reusable structural standards and adapt them for site conditions and non‑standard configurations.
• Lead structural input for permitting and regulatory reviews with AHJs, cities, inspectors, customers, and external partners.
• Partner with civil, mechanical, electrical, construction, and deployment teams on layouts, installation approaches, constructability, and operational risks.
• Evaluate pre‑construction, construction, and sustaining risks; drive practical design or process changes that improve permit‑ready quality, installation quality, standardized‑design reuse, and cost.

Skills

PE License (Structural)

Structural Design

IBC/ASCE7/AISC

Permitting Experience

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Job description

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

About You And The Role

Zipline deploys ground systems that enable autonomous delivery. You will own structural engineering for charging towers, zipping point dropboxes, foundations, and related site structures, making them safe, permitted, constructible, and ready to operate across varied locations. You will turn reusable structural standards and site‑specific adaptations into deployment packages. Working with mechanical, electrical, civil, construction, deployment, and external partners, you will make the technical decisions that move designs through release, permitting, and implementation while protecting safety and improving deployment quality, approval readiness, cost, and scalability.

What You’ll Do

• Own structural analysis and design for charging towers, zipping points, foundations, and related ground‑system structures.
• Produce and technically release structural calculations, drawings, and documentation for code‑compliant, constructible site deployments.
• Develop reusable structural standards and adapt them for site conditions and non‑standard configurations.
• Lead structural input for permitting and regulatory reviews with AHJs, cities, inspectors, customers, and external partners.
• Partner with civil, mechanical, electrical, construction, and deployment teams on layouts, installation approaches, constructability, and operational risks.
• Evaluate pre‑construction, construction, and sustaining risks; drive practical design or process changes that improve permit‑ready quality, installation quality, standardized‑design reuse, and cost‑conscious deployment.

What You’ll Bring

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Structural Engineering.
• 5–8+ years of structural design experience, including steel and/or concrete design.
• Working knowledge of IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and related structural codes and standards.
• Experience supporting permitting, approvals, and coordination with authorities having jurisdiction.
• Ability to solve first‑of‑kind structural problems and communicate clear technical decisions across engineering, business, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work from Zipline’s South San Francisco headquarters and travel intermittently to project sites in the US and internationally.

What Else You Need To Know

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!