Aerodynamics Intern (Spring 2027)

As an intern in the Aerodynamics Team at Zipline, you will work on current open projects alongside experienced aerodynamicists and aeronautical engineers, applying your academic knowledge to real-world problems. You will use a variety of tools, from low-fidelity calculations to CFD simulation and experimental analysis, to help drive the design of current and future products. Your work will include vehicle design analysis, analytical modeling, aerodynamic database generation, and experiment planning and execution, supporting multidisciplinary teams to tackle design challenges.

Responsibilities

• Vehicle design analysis including aerodynamics, propulsion, and power system performance.
• Low- and high-fidelity analytical modeling of vehicle subsystems and behaviors
• Aerodynamic database generation and building analysis of flight behaviors
• Experiment planning, execution and data analysis, from wind tunnels to flight tests
• Support multidisciplinary team including controls, mechanical, production, software, and electrical engineers to tackle design challenges and resolve time-sensitive issues

Requirements

• You will be studying one or more of the following areas: fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, flight physics, aeronautical engineering, acoustics. A strong understanding of the technical content of these courses is the most valuable asset you will bring, and will help you exercise good engineering judgment.
• Understanding and experience with any of the following toolsets is advantageous. If you have not used the tool before, we’ll teach you to use it where needed.
• Continuum- or Lattice Boltzmann-based computational fluid dynamics, such as STAR-CCM+, Fluent, OpenFOAM, or PowerFLOW
• Wind tunnel test identification, planning, execution, troubleshooting, and data analysis using a variety of electro-mechanical and optical diagnostic techniques
• Flight test planning for system identification and simulation validation, cross functional planning, test execution, and data analysis
• MATLAB, Python, Rust, or similar software tools
• CAD advanced surfacing tools, such as CATIA or NX
• To be maximally effective we will need you to work in our head office in South San Francisco. For certain testing programs, limited travel (within California) may be required.