Engineering Test Technician (SMI)

About the role

The hardware test environment is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for building and maintaining Zipline’s engineering prototype fleet. As an Engineering Test Technician, you will work on the build, assembly, and testing of prototype hardware. This role will have you working closely and learning from our design and development teams to review how designs integrate to each other and brainstorm solutions to resolve hardware risks.

Responsibilities

• Build and test prototype hardware across a wide range of maturity levels, providing manufacturability and efficiency feedback to engineering teams.
• Assemble, commission, and maintain tester equipment used to validate new hardware.
• Instrument test articles with sensors and data acquisition systems, ensuring accuracy and repeatability of results.
• Collaborate closely with hardware teams to identify issues, troubleshoot failures, and develop solutions.
• Proactively flag risks, inefficiencies, or opportunities for process improvements, and help implement changes.
• Design and prototype fixtures to support builds, tests, and maintenance tasks.
• Manage multiple hardware builds through various stages of mechanical and electrical testing.

Requirements

• Over 3 years of industry experience.
• Hands-on skills in instrumentation (sensors, DAQ, wiring, calibration) and troubleshooting test setups.
• A high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and ability to deliver quickly under time pressure.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical challenges and tradeoffs.
• A mix of skills such as soldering, harnessing, machining, technical documentation, or data analysis.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in a build or test technician role.
• Experience in prototyping, assembly, or manufacturing of electro-mechanical components.
• Experience writing code with Python, Java, or C++.
• Ability to model simple parts using CAD software.
• A combination of: soldering, harnessing, machine-shop skills, technical documentation, data analysis.

Other Requirements

• Ability to lift and move up to 30 lbs.
• Comfort working with tools, chemicals, and hardware in a lab/manufacturing environment (including respirator use when required).
• Flexibility to support multiple shift schedules or overtime during high-demand periods.