About the role#
As a Software Systems Validation Intern, you will help evaluate the software that powers our autonomous drone delivery system. You will contribute to building tests, tools, metrics, and visualizations that help our team understand system performance, identify issues, and ensure reliability before flight. This role is for someone who wants to learn how complex robotic systems are validated and build experience with autonomy software, data analysis, and systems engineering.
What you'll do#
- Support the design and execution of test scenarios across the autonomous software stack to validate system-level requirements.
- Help develop and improve validation tools, workflows, and automation.
- Build visualizations or metrics that highlight performance trends, gaps, or regressions.
- Work with test infrastructure and data platform teams to run validation pipelines.
- Analyze results and contribute to identifying root causes of failures or unexpected behavior.
- Document findings and communicate insights to engineering stakeholders.
What you'll need#
- Completed the second year of undergraduate studies in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related field. Masters and PhD students are also eligible.
- Coursework or project experience in robotics, controls, estimation, navigation, perception, or software development.
- Familiarity with testing, debugging, or validation methodologies.
- Experience with data analysis using Python, SQL, or similar.
- Basic proficiency with a compiled language such as C/C++ or Rust.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, on-site internship based in South San Francisco, California.
- The term is Summer 2027, running from May or June through August or September.
- This position is paid at an hourly rate of $54 per hour.
About Zipline
Zipline operates an automated delivery system using robotics and autonomous technology. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on logistics for healthcare and retail sectors. It maintains a global presence with operations in countries including Rwanda and Ghana, alongside services in the United States. The organization is based in South San Francisco and employs nearly 1,900 people.
How to get in at Zipline
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