Supplier Industrialization Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products. 

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

About The Supplier Industrialization Engineering Team

Zipline is scaling drone production and flight operations by more than 20× over the next three years while maintaining best-in-class safety and reliability. You will own the entire supplier industrialization and supplier development engineering functions — building the team, processes, tools, and culture that make Zipline’s massive scale-up possible without compromising quality, delivery, or cost.

The Role

As an SIE Intern, the projects you undertake will be focused on the improvement of manufacturing operations & quality at critical Zipline suppliers. This involves working with internal & external cross-functional stakeholders on design for manufacturing & assembly, manufacturing process design & implementation, statistical quality control, and root cause analysis to ensure that Zipline suppliers can meet quality, cost & delivery targets set for them.

What You'll Do

• Design for X (DfX) Discussions: Participate in DfX discussions with internal and external stakeholders to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, assembly, and efficiency across Zipline’s Top Level Assemblies (TLAs) and sub-assemblies.
• Assembly Line Management: Assist with the planning, budgeting, design, procurement, commissioning, and validation of assembly lines and associated equipment at Zipline for Product Validation Builds and mass production at contract manufacturers (CMs).
• Process Documentation & Training: Develop and maintain key process documentation such as Manufacturing Process Flows, FMEAs, Control Plans, and Work Instructions. Provide training to operators and quality teams to ensure consistent standards in manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Supplier Management & Qualification: Support in evaluating and qualifying new suppliers, ensuring they meet Zipline’s quality and production standards. Assist in implementing manufacturing processes at supplier facilities to meet the Zipline Approval Process (ZAP) requirements.
• Fixture Design & Automation: Design fixtures for assembly and inspection, and propose automation strategies to improve efficiency and reliability, both at Zipline and supplier facilities.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Corrective Actions: Assist in performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to resolve quality issues, ensuring these actions are effectively implemented to prevent future occurrences.
• Supplier and Process Performance Tracking: Monitor and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as first-pass yield, on-time delivery, and cost of poor quality, generating regular reports for internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvements.
• Continuous Improvement Projects: Assist in Continuous Improvement (CI) projects to enhance manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve product quality at both Zipline and its supplier locations

What You'll Bring

• Must have at least completed the second year of your Undergraduate studies. Masters and PhD students are also eligible. 
• Proficiency in 3D CAD Software (NX preferred) & ability to read Engineering Drawings (with GD&T)
• Understanding of traditional & non-traditional manufacturing processes (Machining, Injection Molding, Sheet Metal Stamping, 3D Printing, PCBA Manufacturing, Mechanical or Electromechanical Assembly, etc.)
• Understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Understanding of Problem Solving Frameworks (8D, FTA, Pareto Analysis, etc.) & RCA/ CAPA Techniques used within these frameworks
• Willingness to work in a super fast-paced environment that is in a constant state of evolution
• Pursuing a degree in one of the following concentrations: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Mathematics.

What Else You Should Know

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Summer 2027 interns from May/June - August/September.

Candidates are limited to three (3) applications within a 30-day period.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.