About Zipline

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers.

The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

About You and The Role  

We are seeking an experienced NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) / CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) Specialist to join our engineering team, with a specific focus on aircraft motors, propellers, and powertrain components. In this role, you will analyze and optimize the acoustic and vibrational performance of our drone powertrains, ensuring they meet stringent performance and regulatory requirements. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, test, and validate solutions that enhance our products’ reliability and overall performance.

You will be responsible for the zero-to-one design of the mechanical parts on the Powertrain system including: PCB mounting, PCB enclosures, flex design and routing, thermal control, EMI/ESD protection, and custom connectors. You will be expected to prototype from cardboard to CAD, test, and down-select quickly so you can take your zero-to-one designs to high volume manufacturing on schedule. 

You will partner with the electrical, test, and embedded software engineering teams within Powertrain to evaluate system-wide tradeoffs and champion a successful mechanical design. You will also work cross functionally across the vehicle engineering teams to ensure system compatibility, integration strategies, and with cross-functional partners in supply chain, quality, and manufacturing as you scale the product.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct NVH analysis and testing specifically for aircraft motors, propellers, and associated powertrain components.
• Utilize CAE tools to simulate and evaluate the performance of powertrain systems under various operating conditions.
• Develop and implement noise and vibration reduction strategies for motors and propeller assemblies to enhance flight performance and user experience.
• Collaborate with design and engineering teams to optimize powertrain designs for NVH performance early in the development process.
• Perform root cause analysis on NVH-related issues in powertrain components and propose actionable solutions.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation of testing procedures, results, and recommendations related to NVH for powertrain systems.
• Develop supplier dyno metrics for powertrain motors to ensure compliance with performance and quality standards.
• Support the integration of NVH considerations in the design and development of new powertrain technologies.

What You’ll Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in NVH testing and analysis, with a focus on motors, propellers, or other powertrain components in the aerospace or automotive industries.
• Proficient in CAE software tools (e.g., Siemens FEMAP, Nastran, and ANSYS), as well as data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB).
• Strong understanding of noise and vibration measurement techniques and equipment related to powertrain systems.
• Experience with experimental methods for NVH analysis, including modal testing and dynamic analysis of motors and propellers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Willing to travel (up to 10%) as needed to bring up suppliers
• Must be willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay area working regularly out of Zipline HQ

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW