Aircraft Software Integration Intern (Summer 2027)

About The Software Integration Team

At Zipline, we operate the world’s largest autonomous delivery network, and our Software Integration team plays a critical role in making sure the software that flies our aircraft works reliably and safely in the real world. As a Software Integration Intern, you’ll get hands-on experience at the intersection of robotics, embedded software, and systems engineering. Our team doesn’t just write code—we bring together planning, perception, and controls software, and make sure all of it works smoothly on the aircraft, in simulation, and in real operations. You’ll help test and integrate features that affect how our autonomous aircraft fly, adapt routes, and respond to unexpected situations. That means working with simulation tools, flight telemetry, and testing infrastructure to ensure new software behaves the way it should before it ever goes into the sky. This internship is a chance to learn how large, safety-critical autonomy systems are built and scaled, while contributing to technology that directly impacts communities around the world.

The Role

We are seeking a Software Integration Intern with an interest in applying technical and engineering skills to real-world problems. The ideal candidate is eager to learn how to use data science and programming to support hardware systems integration and engineering projects. This internship provides the opportunity to work with large datasets, gain exposure to modern data tools, and apply engineering principles to create actionable insights. Familiarity with Python, SQL, and basic software development is helpful, but a strong willingness to learn is most important.

What You'll Do

• Data Analysis & Modeling: Assist in analyzing datasets from engineering systems, vehicle sensors, and other sources to uncover patterns and support predictive modeling efforts.
• Data Visualization: Help design clear and visually appealing charts and dashboards using tools such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, or Tableau to communicate findings.
• Dashboard Development: Contribute to the creation and maintenance of real-time dashboards that track key metrics and system performance.
• Data Engineering: Support data cleaning, preprocessing, and organization tasks to make datasets ready for analysis. Write simple SQL queries and learn how to work with databases.
• Machine Learning: Gain exposure to machine learning by assisting with model development and validation for autonomy applications.
• Scientific Programming: Learn to apply scientific and engineering programming techniques to develop small data pipelines, automate processes, and run simulations.
• Software Development: Support software-related tasks such as building scripts or tools to improve workflows and automation.

What You'll Bring

• Educational Background: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with Python for scientific programming (libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Plotly, etc.).
• Basic understanding of SQL for querying and working with data.
• Exposure to software development practices (version control with Git, debugging, documentation) is a plus.
• Mathematical & Analytical Skills:
• Coursework or experience with statistics, linear algebra, or numerical methods.
• Interest in applying engineering and data analysis to solve real-world problems.
• Problem-Solving:
• Curiosity and analytical thinking to approach technical challenges.
• Ability to learn how to frame engineering problems as data science problems.
• Communication Skills:
• Willingness to communicate findings clearly with technical and non-technical teammates.
• Strong written and verbal skills for documentation and presentations.
• Machine Learning & Data Modeling:
• Familiarity with machine learning concepts or frameworks (e.g., Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Keras).
• Some experience from coursework, projects, or self-study in building or experimenting with models.
• Bonus Qualifications:
• Experience in Robotics/Automation: Prior exposure to robotics systems, automation, or sensor data (through coursework, projects, or clubs) is a plus.
• Software Development: Exposure to object-oriented programming (e.g., C++ or Java) is a bonus.
• Cloud Computing/Big Data Tools: Familiarity with cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure) or big data tools (Spark, Hadoop) is helpful but not required.

What Else You Should Know

• Internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office.
• Summer 2027 interns will be hosted from May/June to August/September.
• Candidates are limited to three (3) applications within a 30-day period.
• The starting cash range for this internship is $54/hour. This is a target starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications. The final cash pay will depend on experience, qualifications, skills, and working location.
• The total compensation package may also include: a housing stipend; overtime pay; relocation support; paid sick time; and more.