Mechanical Engineer, Camera & Optical Modules

Zipline builds and operates autonomous delivery systems that move critical goods reliably and safely.

Cameras and optical modules provide critical perception inputs used by our aircraft and autonomous systems.

Their mechanical design directly affects image quality, calibration stability, environmental robustness, electromagnetic compatibility, and ultimately the system’s ability to operate safely.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer for Camera and Optical Modules, you will own the mechanical architecture and detailed design of camera assemblies from early concept through validation, production ramp, and fleet operation.

You will integrate image sensors, lenses, optical windows and filters, electronics, flexes, connectors, thermal paths, shielding, seals, and cleaning or contamination-control features into compact, lightweight, production-ready assemblies.

You will work at the boundary of mechanical engineering, optics, electronics, perception, thermal design, and high-volume manufacturing.

Own end-to-end mechanical design for camera and optical assemblies, including requirements, architecture, concept selection, CAD, drawings, specifications, tolerance analysis, BOMs, and production release.

Translate perception, optical, electrical, environmental, and aircraft-level requirements into measurable mechanical requirements and acceptance criteria.

Establish datum, alignment, and calibration strategies to control lens-to-sensor focus, tilt, decenter, optical-axis orientation, stereo baseline, and camera-to-vehicle boresight.

Develop tolerance models that correlate component and assembly variation with image quality and perception performance, including focus retention, modulation transfer, calibration accuracy, and field-of-view stability.

Design lightweight housings, mounts, lens barrels, optical-window interfaces, thermal paths, shields, seals, vents, and connector interfaces for high-volume manufacturing.

Integrate image sensors, lenses, filters, PCBAs, SerDes electronics, flex circuits, connectors, heaters, cleaning devices, and local sensors into robust camera modules.