Flight Test Engineer Intern (Spring 2027)

About the Role

As a Flight Test Engineering Intern at Zipline, you will play a key role in analyzing flight test data logs, designing new flight test campaigns, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the effectiveness and safety of our autonomous systems. This is a hands-on opportunity to gain experience in autonomy software, data analysis, and systems engineering while contributing to real-world challenges in drone delivery.

Responsibilities

• Analyze flight test data logs using custom scripts (Python, DataBricks, SQL) to identify anomalies, assess reliability, track performance trends, and perform regression analyses.
• Design, oversee the execution, and review the results of software validation and flight test campaigns to ensure new features perform as intended and prevent hardware/software regression.
• Daily test and monitor the develop branch to quickly surface instability and potential future issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (GNC, Aerodynamics, Structures, Systems Engineering) to ensure system-level requirements are clear, measurable, and that vehicle changes are mature for flight testing.
• Define or develop novel test infrastructure, including application-based tools, new instrumentation systems, or modified flight control software, to collect auxiliary data in flight.
• Establish and maintain documentation, dashboards, and SQL search queries to track test progress and operational efficiency.
• Directly own or supervise aspects of flight operations, including preflight, launch, flight maneuvers, and incident reporting.

Requirements

• Must have completed the second year of undergraduate studies in physics, mathematics, mechanical, aerospace, systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or related fields. Masters and PhD students are also eligible.
• Strong mathematical and physics background.
• Experience in autonomous vehicle/robotic system integration and testing.
• Experience in data processing and visualization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

Pursuing a degree in physics, mathematics, mechanical, aerospace, systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or related fields. Masters and PhD students are encouraged to apply.

Skills

• Proficiency in Python, DataBricks, and SQL for data analysis and scripting.
• Familiarity with flight test methodologies and system validation processes.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team and communicate technical concepts effectively.

Schedule

This is a full-time internship, in-person at our South San Francisco office, running from January to April/May 2027.

Benefits

• Relocation support and housing stipend may be provided.
• Overtime pay and paid sick time, where applicable.
• Other benefits subject to local requirements.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Voluntary self-identification for government reporting purposes is optional and will not impact the hiring process.