Flight Test Engineer Intern (Summer 2027)

About the Role

As a Flight Test Engineering Intern at Zipline, you will play a crucial 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 internship offers hands-on experience in autonomy software, data analysis, and systems engineering, providing a unique opportunity to contribute 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 engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. 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 autonomous systems.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment.

Schedule

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

Benefits

• Relocation support and housing stipend (where applicable).
• Overtime pay and paid sick time.
• Other benefits subject to local requirements.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please let your point of contact know.