Prototype Technician - New Products

The role

You will build first-of-their-kind prototypes for aircraft, mechanisms, electrical systems, ground equipment, and experimental hardware. You will translate sketches and CAD into functional hardware and document builds and failures.

What you will do

• Build first-of-their-kind prototypes for aircraft, mechanisms, electrical systems, ground equipment, and experimental hardware.
• Translate sketches, CAD, and early engineering concepts into functional hardware.
• Create mockups and flight-quality assemblies.
• Fabricate mechanical parts and composite structures using machining, welding, sheet metal, hand tools, additive manufacturing, and prototype tooling.
• Assemble, troubleshoot, modify, and repair complex electromechanical systems.
• Instrument prototypes with sensors, wiring, DAQ systems, and measurement equipment.
• Support testing, diagnose failures, and implement improvements in subsequent builds.
• Document builds, configurations, repairs, failures, and lessons learned.
• Provide feedback on manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, reliability, and design simplicity.

Required qualifications

• Broad hands-on fabrication experience across several disciplines, such as machining, welding, composites, electrical harnessing, soldering, additive manufacturing, or sheet-metal fabrication.
• Strong mechanical intuition and the ability to troubleshoot unfamiliar electromechanical hardware.
• Ability to work from incomplete drawings or early concepts and independently determine practical details.
• Experience building and troubleshooting prototype electrical systems, including sensors, wiring, actuators, motors, connectors, or measurement equipment.
• Judgment to balance craftsmanship with learning speed.
• Clear communication and disciplined documentation of important changes, discoveries, and failures.
• Strong safety awareness around experimental aircraft, batteries, motors, machinery, and other high-energy systems.

Nice to have

• experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, motorsports, or industrial equipment

About the company

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. They design, build, and operate an autonomous logistics system to deliver food, medicine, and essential goods.