System Test Automation Intern (Fall 2026)

You must have completed the second year of your undergraduate studies.

Strong understanding of engineering design fundamentals and the ability to triage and identify root causes of technical issues.

Experience writing Rust or Python scripts to automate tasks or tests, either through coursework or personal projects.

Hands-on experience writing Python tests using tools like Pytest or Unittest.

Familiarity with creating and executing test plans or validation plans for software or hardware systems.

General understanding of electrical systems such as motors, sensors, cameras, and onboard computers.

As a System Validation Intern, you will contribute to testing and validating Zipline’s complete system of systems—spanning the Zip, Droid, and Dock.

You’ll help build and refine automated testing pipelines, ensuring that software meets rigorous quality standards before being tested in flight.

Your work will play an essential role in ensuring the reliability of systems that deliver life-saving goods worldwide.

Assist in executing Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) tests and flight tests to validate the interaction between Zipline’s Zip, Droid, and Dock systems.

Collaborate with a wide range of engineers from different teams to build and refine automated pipelines that test software before it is deployed in flight.

Analyze and troubleshoot hardware and software issues uncovered during testing, contributing to system improvements.

The System Validation Team ensures the performance, reliability, and safety of Zipline’s integrated system of systems, including the Zip, Droid, and Dock. We specialize in Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, enabling us to validate complex interactions across hardware and software before real-world deployment. Our team builds and maintains automated pipelines that rigorously test software in a simulated environment, ensuring it meets high standards before being tested in flight. By catching potential issues early and refining system behavior, we play a critical role in delivering reliable, safe, and efficient solutions that power Zipline’s mission to transform global logistics. Our team owns automation of flight testing as well to capture issues before it happens in commercial flights.