About You & the Role
We are hiring a Software Engineer, Production Test to own the software that orchestrates electrical, functional, and automated testing of Zipline aircraft, docks, delivery pods, and subassembly hardware. You will develop reproducible test flows, instrument interfaces, data logging, and MES integration, and carry that software through tester validation, deployment, and sustainment. Working closely with electrical, mechanical, firmware, quality, and manufacturing partners, you will debug test behavior and maintain traceable software changes across production testers.
Zipline operates safety-critical autonomous aircraft and logistics systems that deliver medicine and essentials across varied field conditions; production test directly affects fleet uptime, field reliability, and customer deliveries. In this hands-on individual-contributor role you will own your discipline’s contribution to end-to-end test system delivery for factory floors that support high-throughput manufacturing and rapid product iterations. You will be expected to prioritize safety, traceability, and measurable improvements in yield and time-to-deploy while working in a fast-scaling production environment with direct consequences for aircraft reliability and delivery network performance.
What You’ll Do
Implement test automation and data pipelines for repeatable execution, logging, MES/MFG integration, and production dashboards.
Own production testers and calibration stations from requirements through internal or vendor build, installation, validation, release, and sustainment.
Define test coverage, pass/fail limits, golden units, GR&R, capability targets, and release criteria with design, firmware, quality, and operations partners.
Build electrical and functional testers that integrate harnessing, DAQ, sensors, actuators, power systems, safety interlocks, and mechanical fixtures.
Troubleshoot PCBA failures, tester instability, fixture issues, software defects, and product/tester correlation failures on the factory floor.
Improve first-pass yield, false-fail rate, cycle time, uptime, and utilization; set targets and report progress monthly.
Coordinate vendor builds, FAT/SAT, qualification, training, calibration, spares, and change control.
Standardize tester interfaces and automation to reduce operator steps and touch time; maintain procedures, validation records, and maintenance plans for traceable production.
What You’ll Bring
Experience building production test systems, automated test equipment, or end-of-line testers for electromechanical products, with ownership of multiple shipped tester programs.
A BS in Electrical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Hands-on skills in instrumentation, signal measurement, power delivery, harnessing, sensors, actuators, and PCBA debugging.
Strong test-automation experience; Python is preferred, with experience in LabVIEW, TestStand, or embedded test frameworks and common test instruments.
Familiarity with CAN, UART, Ethernet, I2C, SPI, USB, and firmware-hardware interactions.
A record of measurable production improvements, cross-functional coordination, and vendor qualification.
Rigorous attention to safety, traceability, hands-on troubleshooting, and technical judgment under production pressure.
First-Year Success
Deliver and validate production tester programs with documented acceptance criteria and production-release evidence.
Reduce false failures and improve first-pass yield, cycle time, and tester uptime for supported lines.
Sustain traceable, repeatable test execution and report progress against agreed production goals.
What Else You Need to Know
The starting cash range for this role is $125,000 - $145,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. We are always open to negotiation. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; 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 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!
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.
