Automation Engineer, Production Equipment

The role

You will select, integrate, deploy, and sustain production automation for aircraft assembly, battery integration, dock components, and flight-critical subsystems. This is a hands-on individual-contributor role with direct ownership of equipment design, build, commissioning, and improvement on the factory floor.

What you will do

• Evaluate automation opportunities against manual work content and translate them into equipment requirements
• Integrate automation into existing assembly workflows and train operators
• Own the integration and deployment of production automation from requirements through production release
• Work with mechanical and controls partners on CAD, detailed drawings, and equipment interfaces
• Increase tooling availability, reduce manual assembly cycle time, and improve first-pass yield
• Integrate and install automation including alignment fixtures, press and torque tooling, and automated test rigs
• Perform on-line debugging and rapid root-cause analysis during launches and ramp phases
• Develop and apply tooling design standards, GD&T practices, and material selections
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Test Engineering, and Field Operations
• Work with fabricators and vendors to write RFQs, evaluate proposals, and perform acceptance testing

Required qualifications

• 2+ years designing production equipment, fixtures, or custom automation in a high-volume or fast-ramping manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience
• Mastery of GD&T, tolerance analysis, mechanism design, material selection, and failure-mode thinking
• Proficiency in 3D CAD
• Hands-on experience commissioning equipment on the factory floor
• Practical knowledge of pneumatics, actuators, sensors, linear motion, machine guarding, and industrial electrical interfaces
• Track record delivering quantitative outcomes like cycle time, uptime, FPY, and cost per unit
• Ability to coordinate vendor builds and perform acceptance testing

Nice to have

• 5–7 years of relevant experience
• Experience with aerospace, drones, medical devices, or safety-critical electro-mechanical products

Benefits

• Equity compensation
• Discretionary annual or performance bonuses
• Sales incentives
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off

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.