Powertrain and Battery Mechatronics Intern

Job Description

About the Company: Zipline

Zipline’s Mission and Impact: Zipline is dedicated to revolutionizing logistics by creating the world’s first instant logistics system designed to provide equitable access to goods for all humans. Their core mission is to solve urgent and complex access challenges, particularly in healthcare. They aim to deliver critical healthcare supplies to millions of people worldwide, ensuring fast and dependable access, even in demanding environments.

Technology and Operations: Leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy, Zipline designs, builds, and operates a cutting-edge fleet of autonomous delivery drones. These drones are engineered to perform flawlessly and reliably, directly impacting lives by enabling the swift delivery of essential medical and commercial supplies globally. The company emphasizes a commitment to real-world impact and solving critical problems.

Internship Philosophy: Zipline’s Emerging Talent program views internships as more than just learning opportunities; they are seen as chances for interns to take on meaningful work that directly contributes to the company’s mission. Interns are expected to gain real-world skills that will serve their careers long-term, working alongside a team that values speed, focus, and grit.

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About the Job: Powertrain and Battery Mechatronics Intern

Team Overview (The Powertrain Test Team): The Powertrain Test Team is a crucial sub-team within Zipline’s broader Powertrain organization. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the performance, reliability, and safety of the electric drivetrain components that power Zipline’s autonomous delivery drones. This includes rigorous testing strategies for motors, propellers, batteries, and related components. The team operates at the intersection of hardware and software, validating systems under real-world conditions to guarantee flawless drone performance, directly supporting Zipline’s mission. Their work focuses on “burning down technical risk” through practical and purposeful execution.

About the Role (Powertrain and Battery Mechatronics Intern): As a Powertrain and Battery Mechatronics Intern, you will have a hands-on role in enhancing the performance and reliability of the critical systems powering Zipline’s drones. Your responsibilities will span from early design stages through rigorous testing and root-cause analysis. The core of this role involves validating critical components and identifying opportunities to improve system robustness. The emphasis is on quickly and practically mitigating technical risks, given that system reliability directly impacts lives. This internship is suited for individuals energized by solving hard problems, eliminating inefficiencies, and working with a mission-driven team that values speed, focus, and grit.

Key Responsibilities (“What You’ll Do”):
• Design and Testing: Design, build, and run electro-mechanical testers to prove the reliability of critical components such as batteries, motors, and propellers. This includes designing tests and their setups to match engineering specifications, interpreting test procedures and diagrams, instrumentation, data acquisition, test article diagnostics, and front-line root causing.
• CAD and Design: Utilize 2D and 3D CAD tools to design parts, assemblies, and fixtures based on sound engineering principles. Develop concepts and evaluate trade-offs using a first principles approach.
• Prototyping and Learning: Creatively use resources to design, build, and test prototypes to gather quick learnings and insights.
• Collaboration and Review: Work cross-functionally with other Zipline teams and suppliers to review designs, ensuring collaborative success.
• Failure Analysis: Root cause failures and develop specific tests to replicate identified failure modes.
• Documentation: Document your work thoroughly, ensuring that key decisions and findings are easily understandable by others.

Required Qualifications (“What You’ll Bring”):
• Hands-on Mechatronics Experience: A critical skill for entry-level candidates is robust experience designing and *actually building• multiple mechatronics systems outside of a classroom setting. This is a highly valued component of the application. Examples of relevant projects include submarines, solar cars, electric boats and airplanes, rockets, etc.
• Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals: Solid understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals for sizing parts and integrating them into designs with minimal assistance.
• Automation Experience: Practical experience with automation, specifically working with actuators and Raspberry Pis (or similar microcontrollers/SBCs).
• CAD Proficiency: Well-versed in CAD, with experience designing multiple projects using CAD software.
• Complex Project Experience: Demonstrated experience working on complex projects that require integrated mechanical, electrical, and software design.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly change direction when mistakes are realized or when simpler solutions to achieve goals are identified.
• Bias to Action and Communication: A strong bias towards action and consistent communication with team members to ensure alignment and timely achievement of project goals.
• Design Mindset: Excitement to further develop design skills through participation in brainstorms, design reviews, and failure mode analysis.
• Self-Management: Ability to anticipate, plan, and schedule your own work effectively.
• Positive Attitude: A “can do” attitude, reflecting investment in solving critical problems and contributing to vital work.

Additional Information (“What Else You Need to Know”):
• Internship Type: Full-time, in-person positions.
• Location: South San Francisco office.
• Duration: Fall 2025 interns will be hosted from September to December.
• Compensation: The starting cash range for this role is $38 – 42 / hour. This is a target range dependent on experience, qualifications, skills, and working location. The total compensation package may also include overtime pay, commuter benefits, paid sick time, and more.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: Zipline is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, prohibiting discrimination based on various characteristics. They value diversity and encourage applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in tech.
• Accommodations: Zipline is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the interview process.