Manager - System Test Engineering and Operations
Core
Lead a special-ops team of test engineers and technicians to execute environmental, durability, and replicated-flight testing for Zipline's autonomous drone hardware, ensuring reliability for global medical and retail supply chains.
Role type
Manager, System Test Engineering and Operations
Builds
Autonomous drone logistics system hardware (aircraft, major components) for global delivery of medicine, food, and retail goods.
Domain
Aerospace hardware testing, autonomous logistics, electromechanical systems
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
Hardware debugging, electrical troubleshooting, test campaign planning, facility infrastructure design, team leadership, trade-off analysis, software tool development for test planning
Preferred skills
Experience with complex electromechanical systems, adaptability to first-of-its-kind hardware, process establishment for hardware handoffs
Technologies
Wind tunnels, thermal chambers, monsoon ingress test cells, vibration testing equipment, cycle-life counting software
Responsibilities
Own multi-month system-test campaigns demonstrating aircraft under extreme environments; Hire, lead, and develop test engineers and technicians; Set the test-facility roadmap including equipment design and procurement; Architect test plans for environmental exposures; Deliver and upgrade large-scale test assets; Establish operating processes for simultaneous test legs and hardware handoffs; Drive in-house software tools for aircraft maintenance and test planning
Seniority
Manager, hands-on IC with team leadership