Hardware Technician – Autonomy Data Systems
Zipline · South San Francisco, California, USA
About this role
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.
Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.
Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.
We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.
Hardware Technician – Autonomy Data Systems
South San Francisco, CA (Onsite)
About the Role
We’re looking for a highly capable, hands-on Hardware Technician to join Zipline’s Autonomy Data team. This role sits at the center of our autonomy development pipeline—building and maintaining the specialized hardware platforms that collect the real-world data our aircraft depend on to operate safely.
You’ll own a fleet of custom-built, multi-modal data collection systems deployed on aircraft across the U.S. and globally. These platforms operate day and night, in diverse and challenging environments, capturing the data that powers our perception and autonomy stack.
We’re looking for a versatile builder and problem-solver. Someone who can design, assemble, debug, and continuously improve complex electromechanical systems, and who thrives in fast-moving, high-stakes test environments. You’ll grow into a critical bridge between engineering and operations by supporting field deployments, training operators, and driving execution during complex, high-visibility test campaigns.
What You’ll Do
Own a Fleet of Critical Hardware
- Maintain and continuously improve a fleet of airborne data collection systems
- Diagnose and resolve issues across mechanical, electrical, sensor, and networking domains
- Drive reliability improvements through design iteration, component selection, and process refinement
- Ensure systems are always mission-ready
Support Flight Test & Data Collection
- Troubleshoot issues in real time alongside engineers, operators, and pilots
- Ensure safe, reliable operation of safety-critical systems
- Prepare and validate hardware for lab and field deployments
- Support flight tests locally and occasionally in the field (including Bay Area and limited travel)
Build & Integrate Advanced Test Systems
- Design, assemble, and bring up custom data collection platforms combining mechanical, electrical, and compute systems
- Validate performance and ensure data quality
- Integrate sensors including cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, and onboard compute
- Build wiring harnesses, perform firmware flashing, and execute system bring-up
Documentation & Process Development
- Improve build, test, and deployment processes to scale operations
- Develop data collection methods and onboard new contract pilots
- Create clear assembly guides and troubleshooting workflows
- Maintain part inventories and configuration tracking
What You’ll Bring
- 2–5+ years of hands-on experience in hardware integration, prototyping, or technician roles (robotics, aerospace, automotive, or similar)
- Strong mechanical aptitude: system integration, precision assembly, and fabrication
- Solid electronics fundamentals: harnessing, crimping, soldering, multimeter use
- Comfort working with Linux systems, firmware flashing, and basic networking
- Proven ability to debug complex electromechanical systems methodically
- High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership in safety-critical environments
- Excellent organization and documentation habits
- Ability to operate independently and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Nice to have:
- Experience with drones or airborne systems
- Familiarity with perception sensors (cameras, LiDAR, radar)
- CAD experience (NX, SolidWorks, Fusion 360)
- FAA Part 107 (or willingness to obtain)
Why This Role Matters
The systems you build will directly enable Zipline’s autonomy. Every dataset captured, every bug fixed, and every improvement you make accelerates our ability to deploy safe, reliable autonomous aircraft at scale.
This is a safety-critical role with real-world impact, you’ll be building the hardware that helps our aircraft see and understand the world.
Who You Are
You’re a jack-of-all-trades builder who enjoys working with bespoke hardware and figuring things out when they don’t work the first time. You take pride in craftsmanship, thrive in ambiguity, and are excited to own systems end-to-end—from bench build to flight test.
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