New Products Ground Systems Mechanical Design Engineer

We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

The New Products team invents Zipline's next generation of products. We are developing ground systems that enable our aircraft to safely and rapidly launch, recover, recharge, and prepare for their next mission. These systems combine robotics, mechanisms, sensing, controls, structures, and operations, and will be deployed worldwide.

You will own mechanical product development for next-generation ground systems: turning ambiguous concepts into reliable, manufacturable hardware that works around autonomous aircraft and in field operations. Your work will shape systems from architecture through validation, early production, and deployment.

- Own architecture, mechanical design, build, and validation of automated ground systems from concept through testing at flight test sites, early production and deployment into the field.

- Design structures, precision mechanisms, electromechanical assemblies, and integrated hardware for aircraft launch, recovery, recharge, and mission preparation.

- Reduce technical risk through first-principles analysis, rapid prototypes, instrumented testing, and design iteration.

- Define and execute validation that demonstrates performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and operational usability before production release.

- Partner with electrical, software, controls, manufacturing, operations, civil engineering, and supply chain teams to deliver complete system solutions.

- Work with suppliers and manufacturing partners to translate prototypes into production-ready assemblies, resolving design-for-manufacturing and quality issues.

- Lead technical reviews and make product tradeoffs across performance, reliability, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and customer experience.

- Experience owning complex electromechanical systems or larger pieces of automated machinery from concept through production, with direct responsibility for design decisions and product outcomes.

- Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including structural analysis, mechanism design, CAD, tolerancing, and design for manufacturing.

- Experience integrating motors, sensors, actuators, electronics, and software into reliable hardware systems.

- Practical knowledge of machining, sheet metal, welded structures, castings, molded parts, and mechanical assemblies.

- Demonstrated ability to solve ambiguous engineering problems through hands-on prototyping, experimentation, and sound technical judgment.

- Ability to design reliable machinery for operational environments where safety, human interaction, and autonomous-aircraft interfaces matter.

- Clear technical communication and the ability to lead cross-functional decisions across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

The starting cash range for this role is $135,000 - $220,000. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. 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!