Applications Engineer Intern (Spring 2027)

As an Applications Engineer Intern, you will be the technical specialist responsible for solving application-specific challenges related to the deployment of Zipline's ground infrastructure. You will identify, validate, and integrate off-the-shelf systems and commercially available products to meet rigorous requirements, such as architecting remote monitoring camera networks, integrating weather sensing arrays, or designing specialized lifting and service apparatus. You will contribute to the development, testing, and deployment of system improvements, evaluate and manage vendor relationships, and work with engineering and deployments teams to refine site requirements into deployable systems.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, testing, and deployment of system improvements for the Platform 2 system supporting ground systems, commercial operations, and new deployments.
• Develop and implement technical solutions for specialized application needs, including lifting apparatus for maintenance or weather stations for localized flight safety.
• Evaluate, select, and manage relationships with external vendors to source high-availability, low-cost commercially available products that fulfill critical system requirements.
• Work with the engineering and deployments organization to refine site requirements and transform them into deployable systems that fulfill first-principles needs.
• Define the necessary handover materials and processes to move new application solutions into a sustaining operations trajectory.

Requirements

• You must have completed the second year of your undergraduate studies, pursuing a degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Masters and PhD students are also eligible.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting hardware and software systems, data collection and analysis, and collaborating with stakeholders to address engineering challenges.
• Experience in reading data sheets, layouts, or schematics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to simplify complex technical information into clear, repeatable technical instructions.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills, including creating timelines, leading meetings, and providing cross-functional updates.
• Willingness to travel and work outdoors at test sites for hands-on development and testing.
• A problem-solving approach with a drive for continuous improvement in a dynamic, collaborative setting.
• Technical curiosity and a passion for user-centric design.
• Self-directed with the ability to independently manage tasks.
• Eager to learn and grow through building strong relationships with operations and engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Possessing CAD skills (Siemens NX, Solidworks, etc.) and any machine shop/prototyping experience is a plus.

Benefits

• The hourly rate for this internship is $40 per hour. Additional benefits may include relocation support, a housing stipend, overtime pay, paid sick time, and other benefits, where applicable and subject to local requirements.