About Zipline

Zipline uses autonomous aircraft to deliver critical and lifesaving medicine to thousands of hospitals serving millions of people in multiple countries. Our mission is to provide every human on Earth with instant access to vital medical supplies. Join Zipline and help us make this a reality for billions of people.

About You and The Role

You enjoy solving complex structural problems using first principles analysis coupled with system level finite element models (FEM).  You will be responsible for the system structural design and analysis from conceptual  architecture phase through qualification testing.  In this role you will own the top level global FEM including setting and upholding all model standards for materials, interfaces, load cases, numbering, and model validation.  This role works closely with subsystem engineers to define stiffness and load requirements needed to meet system goals as well as jumping in to design hardware when needed.  You will work closely with Reliability and Test Engineering to correlate models and root cause failures discovered in testing.  How to know if it's you:  You have never presented a FEM plot without adjusting the legend scale, pencil and paper calculations are always your first step, you prefer simple and fast over detailed and large, you are on the floor during system testing.

Zipline was founded by engineers dedicated to making the world a better place. We are scaling around the world and are looking for a talented Engineer to join our team who is excited to drive simple, elegant solutions to complex problems that will help save lives every day. 

What You'll Do

• Vehicle structural analysis
• Evaluate and optimize system (flight and ground) structural loads, vibration modes, and deflections
• Classical stress analysis (Roark/Bruhn) to do initial sizing
• Development of load cases and size primary structure
• Own and design efficient elegant structural solutions
• Create Global Analysis Models
• Drive design trades with data from lightweight global FEM (Beams/Shells) that can be rapidly updated (daily) to match evolving configurations
• Produce section loads to feed engineers doing subsystem detailed design and analysis
• Own top level Finite Element Model management, material properties, numbering, interface control to cleanly integrate subsystem engineers’ detailed models
• Predict response to dynamic events like launch, recovery, drop, and motor imbalance
• Experimental correlation of flight and test data
• Identify and define when test correlation is required to validate simulation models
• Produce pre-test predictions, instrumentation locations, and post test data analysis to tune model stiffness and stress results within 5% of test
• Rapidly resolve test issues (hours) and provide corrective action direction for issues found in qualification testing

What You'll Bring

• Passion for and demonstrated history of solving complex engineering challenges
• Vehicle/System level architecture analysis
• Top level FEM management with 3-5 engineer's contribution
• Experience with Nastran and Siemens Simcenter

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 or our own sensibilities.

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!

If you’d like to learn more about Zipline and our teams, feel free to check out our Instagram, one of our Reddit AMA’s, or our website!