Hardware Test Automation Intern (Spring 2026)

Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building the first instant logistics system that serves all humans equally. Leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy, Zipline designs, builds, and operates a fleet of cutting edge, autonomous delivery drones. We serve tens of millions of people around the world.

Joining Zipline’s Emerging Talent program as an intern is an opportunity to contribute to our promise of building a system that provides equitable access to critical healthcare supplies for millions of people. We believe that internships are more than just opportunities to learn by watching or doing low level tasks. We expect our interns to take on meaningful work that actively contributes to moving Zipline’s mission forward, while learning real-world skills that will serve them in their careers for the long term. 

Join us, and build the future of logistics with the best humans around!

The Powertrain Test Team plays a critical role in ensuring the performance, reliability, and safety of the electric drivetrain that powers Zipline’s life-saving delivery drones. As a sub-team within the broader Powertrain organization, we design and execute rigorous testing strategies across motors, propellers, batteries, and related components. Operating at the intersection of hardware and software, we validate systems under real-world conditions to ensure our drones perform flawlessly in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. Our work directly impacts Zipline’s mission to provide fast, dependable access to essential medical and commercial supplies around the globe.

In developing a test asset, you will gain a deep understanding of the system you are working on. This could be the full avionics stack and the embedded code that lives in them, including flight computers, power distribution boards, battery management systems, and motor controllers. The test of these systems will likely involve the design and build of mechatronics systems and along with the development of complex scripts that automate many sensors and actuators with operator safety in mind. In all cases, you will have full ownership of the results of your work from early system prototypes to the data analysis and recommendations that come from it. If this sounds like something you'd be excited to tackle, read on.

What You'll Do

• Work with cross-functional teams in order to build a clear set of component and/or tester requirements
• Architect and implement software to validate the design and assembly of components from circuit boards to large mechanical assemblies
• Develop automation-centric software to streamline components testing, data collection and analysis
• Gain a deep understanding of the components under test to become an expert on its expected and intended behavior under different conditions
• Own a test asset through its entire lifecycle from planning and implementation to validation and analysis of results

• Experience programming in Python with some knowledge of embedded C
• Experience developing software that interfaces directly with hardware and instrumentation 
• Experience navigating data sheets and writing basic drivers for new components
• An understanding of basic electrical and/or mechanical principles
• Experience working with common electrical test instrumentation (multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.) 

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco or Dallas office. We will host our Spring 2026 interns from January to April. 

Candidates are limited to three (3) applications within a 30-day period.

The starting cash range for this internship is $38 - 42/ hour. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and working location. The total compensation package for each role may also include: a housing stipend; overtime pay; relocation support; paid sick time; and more. 

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!

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.