Computational Physics Intern (Spring 2027)

About the Role

Zipline is seeking an engineering intern to develop computational tools for system-level problem statements, understand tradeoffs between accuracy and computational efficiency, and architect elegant code tools. The outputs of these tools will directly drive critical architectural and operational decisions at the aircraft and fleet level.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop computational tools to automate high-level design trades, optimizations, and sensitivity studies.
• Improve the performance and flexibility of simulation frameworks.
• Build physics-based models that underlie aircraft performance simulations.
• Analyze test data to validate vehicle component models.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Matlab, Python, Julia, Rust, or similar for modeling, simulation, optimization, and/or data analysis.
• Proficiency in numerical methods.
• A basic understanding of fundamental physics:
• Energy and power
• Heat transfer
• Electrical circuits
• Dynamics (kinematics, forces, moments, acceleration/rotation)
• Fluids and aerodynamics
• The ability to recognize tradeoffs in the design of complex computational analysis frameworks.

Qualifications

• A drive to help people and make the world a better place.
• Passion for tackling challenging multidisciplinary problems.

Nice to have

• Basic understanding of batteries, electric motors, and/or aircraft dynamics; and typical approaches to modeling them.
• Experience interpreting experimental data.
• Experience with model-based systems design, ideally in an extracurricular setting.