Hardware Test & Prototype Technician

About You and The Role

Zipline builds and operates autonomous delivery systems that move critical goods reliably and safely. Dropbox is our customer-facing package-loading product that integrates mechatronics, sensors, electronics, access control, user interaction, firmware, and environmental protection so untrained users can hand off packages to our droids.

As a Hardware Test & Prototype Technician, you will help turn Dropbox concepts into working hardware and generate the test evidence engineers use to improve the product. You will assemble prototypes, modify hardware, build test fixtures, instrument systems, execute tests, document failures, and keep test assets operating reliably.

You will work closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Test, Reliability, Manufacturing, and Deployment engineers. Some work will be well defined through drawings and test procedures; other work will require you to interpret an engineer’s intent, identify practical problems, and help determine the best way to build or test something.

This is a highly hands-on role based in South San Francisco. You will also periodically support prototype installations and testing at Half Moon Bay, Sacramento, and other test or deployment locations. Field work may involve some travel, outdoor conditions, and troubleshooting hardware away from the normal lab environment

What You'll Do 

• Assemble, integrate, rework, and maintain Dropbox prototypes and test articles.
• Build mechanical and electromechanical assemblies containing structures, mechanisms, motors, transmissions, sensors, PCBAs, harnesses, connectors, and seals.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD views, bills of materials, wiring diagrams, assembly instructions, and test procedures.
• Provide practical feedback when designs, drawings, tolerances, fastener access, cable routing, or assembly sequences are unclear or difficult to execute.
• Fabricate and modify prototype components, brackets, fixtures, guards, and test equipment using appropriate shop tools and processes.
• Perform mechanical assembly using torque tools, adhesives, thread-locking compounds, bearings, belts, fasteners, seals, and alignment features.
• Build, route, terminate, and troubleshoot wiring harnesses and electromechanical connections.
• Instrument test articles using load cells, force and torque sensors, thermocouples, displacement sensors, cameras, current sensors, and data-acquisition equipment.
• Build and maintain automated cycle testers, environmental setups, representative packages, abuse-test fixtures, and other development equipment.
• Execute component, subsystem, and system-level tests following approved procedures and safety requirements.
• Support functional, lifetime, environmental, ingress, wear, misuse, obstruction, package-variation, and fault-recovery testing.
• Monitor tests, identify abnormal behavior, stop testing when unsafe or invalid conditions occur, and escalate issues promptly.
• Record test configuration, asset serial numbers, firmware versions, environmental conditions, observations, failures, and results accurately.
• Capture photographs, videos, measurements, logs, and physical evidence needed for failure investigation.
• Assist engineers with teardown, inspection, dimensional measurement, and root-cause investigations.
• Distinguish likely product failures from fixture, instrumentation, setup, software, or operator problems.
• Reproduce field failures in the lab and verify whether corrective actions prevent recurrence.
• Maintain test assets, tools, fixtures, instrumentation, spare parts, and work areas in a safe and organized condition.
• Track equipment calibration, maintenance, repairs, and configuration so test results remain trustworthy and reproducible.
• Support engineering builds, design-validation builds, pilot production, and manufacturing troubleshooting.
• Prepare prototype hardware, tools, spares, documentation, and equipment for work at remote test or deployment sites.
• Support installation, configuration, commissioning, testing, maintenance, and recovery of prototype Dropbox systems at Half Moon Bay, Sacramento, and other locations.
• Work safely with engineers and Deployment teams around heavy assemblies, powered mechanisms, vehicles, aircraft operations, construction activity, and outdoor test environments.
• Provide clear feedback from builds and field deployments so designs and procedures become easier, safer, and more repeatable.
• Help improve prototype-build instructions, test procedures, deployment checklists, and troubleshooting guides.
• Train other technicians and engineers on equipment or procedures in which you have developed expertise.

What You'll Bring

• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, repairing, or maintaining mechanical or electromechanical hardware.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, assembly documentation, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.
• Experience using common hand tools, power tools, torque tools, measurement equipment, and shop equipment safely.
• Familiarity with mechanisms, bearings, belts, fasteners, actuators, motors, sensors, connectors, and wiring harnesses.
• Experience using measurement tools such as calipers, micrometers, torque instruments, multimeters, and data-acquisition equipment.
• Ability to build clean, reliable prototype hardware even when designs or instructions are still evolving.
• Experience instrumenting test articles and collecting accurate, traceable test data.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills and a methodical approach to isolating problems.
• Discipline in documenting build configuration, deviations, test conditions, observations, and failures.
• Ability to communicate clearly with engineers about build problems, unexpected behavior, risks, and potential improvements.
• Comfort working independently after the objective, procedure, and safety boundaries are established.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and effective laboratory and shop environment.
• Technical certificate, associate degree, apprenticeship, military technical experience, or equivalent hands-on experience is valued.
• Experience with robotics, industrial automation, automotive systems, aerospace hardware, appliances, material-handling equipment, or outdoor machinery is helpful.
• Experience with basic machining, sheet-metal fabrication, soldering, crimping, harness fabrication, or environmental testing is helpful.
• Location and logistics: this role is in person in South San Francisco and requires some travel to Half Moon Bay, Sacramento, and other test or deployment locations.
• Operating conditions: field assignments may involve outdoor work, uneven surfaces, changing weather, and occasional overnight travel.
• Physical requirements: able to safely handle tools, test equipment, and hardware and participate in team lifts in accordance with established safety procedures.
• Traits: practical judgment, mechanical curiosity, attention to detail, comfort with changing prototypes, and willingness to stay with a problem until the hardware is working or the failure is understood.

What Success Looks Like

• Prototype hardware is assembled safely, correctly, and quickly enough to support development schedules.
• Tests produce complete, reproducible, and trustworthy evidence.
• Build and test problems are identified early and communicated before they create schedule delays or invalid results.
• Test equipment remains reliable, calibrated, documented, and available.
• Prototype deployments are prepared and executed with the necessary hardware, tools, spares, and documentation.
• Engineering teams receive clear observations and physical evidence that accelerate root-cause investigations and design improvements.
• Build instructions, test procedures, and deployment workflows become safer and more repeatable through your feedback.

What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $75,000-$100,000 ($36-$48/hour). Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; overtime pay; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.

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.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!