About the Systems Modeling Team
The Systems Modeling Team has tremendous power to shape Zipline’s products. We develop physics-based models and use them to architect our aircraft, as well as the supporting logistics system. Using simulation, we can rapidly explore a vast array of designs to optimize future products, and we can find ways to squeeze more performance out of our existing products.
Systems Modeling brings diverse teams and fields together (e.g. electrical, thermal, mechanical, aerodynamics, battery chemistry, controls, fleet operations, economics) to gain new insights. We translate technical conversations into rigorously framed engineering problems. We value asking pertinent questions and generating coherent answers.
The Role
Leading the way in drone delivery requires pushing the limits of individual component technologies and carefully orchestrating which ones we put together to optimize the performance of the complete vehicle. How much of the benefit of a larger motor is counteracted by its aerodynamic penalty? How much range are we willing to give up for extra payload capacity? How do we optimally control battery charging – electrically and thermally – to strike a balance between turnaround time and battery longevity?
Answering these types of questions requires high-caliber computational tools. Zipline is seeking an engineering intern that can understand system-level problem statements, appreciate the tradeoffs between accuracy and computational efficiency, and architect elegant code tools. The outputs of these tools will directly drive critical architectural and operational decisions at the aircraft and fleet level.
What You'll Do
Develop computational tools to automate high-level design trades, optimizations, and sensitivity studies
Improve the performance and flexibility of simulation frameworks
Build physics-based models that underlie aircraft performance simulations
Analyze test data to validate vehicle component models
What You'll Bring
A drive to help people and make the world a better place
A basic understanding of fundamental physics
Energy and power
Heat transfer
Electrical circuits
Dynamics (kinematics, forces, moments, acceleration/rotation)
Fluids and aerodynamics
Passion for tackling challenging multidisciplinary problems
The ability to recognize tradeoffs in the design of complex computational analysis frameworks
Expertise in Matlab, Python, Julia, Rust, or similar; for modeling, simulation, optimization, and/or data analysis
Proficiency in numerical methods
Nice to have
Basic understanding of batteries, electric motors, and/or aircraft dynamics; and typical approaches to modeling them
Experience interpreting experimental data
Experience with model-based systems design, ideally in an extracurricular setting
What Else You Should Know
The hourly rate for this internship is $40 per hour. Additional benefits may include relocation support, a housing stipend, overtime pay, paid sick time, and other benefits, where applicable and subject to local requirements.
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.
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.
Voluntary Self-Identification
For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.
As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
