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Zipline
Actively hiring

Hardware Test Technician

Workplace
On-site
Commitment
Full-time
Posted
Location
South San Francisco, United States

As a Hardware Test Technician on the Structural Testing team, you will maintain and support 30+ environmental test chambers used in R&D validation and execute dynamic and vibration tests. You will partner with design and reliability teams to ensure high-quality designs through testing support, including troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain 30+ environmental test chambers used in R&D testing.
  • Perform installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs for a mix of R&D environmental test chamber systems (Espec, Test Equity, Q-Lab).
  • Schedule and conduct preventative maintenance including cleaning, consumables, inspections, and performance testing toward maximizing equipment uptime.
  • Assist staff with delivery drone R&D environmental test setups, train users on equipment programming, and uphold continuous operation of the equipment.
  • Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and water supply systems.
  • Interpret PLC ladder logic, schematics, blueprints, and mechanical diagrams.
  • Order, inventory, and manage spare parts, materials, and equipment.
  • Coordinate and oversee 3rd-party contractors performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Provide on-call response to emergencies according to criticality on a rotating basis with other technicians on the team.
  • Support the vibration lab, including electrodynamic shakers, HALT chambers, and other test systems.
  • Execute test plans and develop fixtures for dynamic testing.
  • Create test setups to match engineering specifications, which includes interpretation of test procedures and diagrams, instrumentation, data acquisition, test article diagnostics, and front-line root causing.
  • Instrument test assets, collect periodic data, and validate lab tests by comparing results
  • with real flight data.
  • Perform first-pass data analysis, lead root-causing efforts, and write detailed reports driving to root cause using data and first-order analysis to inform design recommendations.
  • Partner with Test Technicians and Engineers across diverse test campaigns, including on-site support at flight test locations.

Requirements

  • Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, or lab test equipment.
  • Ability to interpret PLC ladder logic, electrical specifications, schematics, blueprints, and mechanical drawings.
  • Experience working on hardware/software projects and collaborating with hardware engineers.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to organize data in a way that is easy to understand and present facts clearly.
  • Hands-on experience in a machine shop, with proficiency in operating common mechanical equipment.
  • Physical ability to climb ladders, lift equipment, and work in confined spaces.
  • Flexibility to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and support shifting lab test priorities.

Nice to have

  • Preferred (but not required): Prior experience with HVAC/refrigeration systems, data acquisition systems (DAQs), sensors, instrumentation, or vibration controllers.