Aeroelasticity Engineer

About Zipline:
Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably across four continents. Our customers include healthcare systems, governments, retailers, and global brands who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, and provide instant deliveries.

South San Francisco | Avionics, Structures & Mechanisms, Powertrain & Battery, & Ground Systems | Full‑time

This posting represents multiple Mechanical Design Engineering opportunities across our Engineering organization. Candidates will be considered for all open roles that align with their background. During your first conversation, we will work with you to identify the best team and level match based on your experience and interests.

We’re looking for driven, proactive Mechanical Design Engineers to join various hardware teams.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading end‑to‑end design of electro‑mechanical assemblies from concept through scaled production.
• Owning hardware projects, moving work through design‑build‑test‑repeat‑scale cycles.
• Ensuring designs meet functional, manufacturability, inspection, and safety requirements.
• Collaborating with Software, Integration, Production, Suppliers, and Test teams.
• Conducting quick iterations, prototyping, and mechanical testing.

• 3–12 + years full‑time experience designing electromechanical and structural assemblies.
• Proven track record of complex subassemblies or full systems over at least two product programs.
• CAD fluency for system‑level ownership (3D/2D of 20–30 parts simultaneously).
• Experience working with suppliers and seeking DFM feedback.
• Experience on structural components and mechanisms, identifying worst‑case loads and setting up tests.
• Core competencies:
  
  GD&T, FEA (structural and thermal), design for assembly and field operations.
• Prototyping experience and quick iteration on owned projects.
• Ability to perform hand calculations (beam, buckling, bolted joints, etc.).
• Knowledge of safety margins for human‑safety critical applications.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

• High‑volume electromechanical assemblies, PCBA layouts, and sensor hardware including cameras and air‑data sensors.
• First‑principles thermal design.

• High‑volume electromechanical assemblies, PCBA enclosures, batteries, and connectors.
• First‑principles thermal design.

• Rotor dynamics, vibrational loads, durability cycling.
• Electric motors, electromagnetics, brushless DC motor control.
• Bonus: carbon‑fiber structures in high‑volume production.

• Mass‑efficient carbon‑fiber, metallic, and plastic structures.
• Servo mechanisms design and testing.

• Welding design (AWS 1.1), sheet metal design, electrical integration.
• Structural design including hand calculations and FEA.
• Bonus: large structural steel, dynamic transient FEA.

• Design for electronics packaging/harnessing, actuators, mechanisms.
• Sheet metal and plastic design.

• NX as primary CAD tool.
• Aerospace or automotive‑level validation experience.
• Comfortable with data analysis.
• Prior technical mentorship.
• Testing experience (test plans, execution, analysis).

The starting cash range for this role is $145,000 – $225,000. The final cash pay will depend on experience, qualifications, skills, location, and projected impact. Total compensation will also include equity, incentives, and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 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.