Spring 2027

Strategic Engagements & Events Intern

Spring 2027

Posted on 8/12/2026

Zipline

Zipline

1,001-5,000 employees

Autonomous drone delivery and logistics platform

Compensation Overview

$34/hr

+ Relocation support + Housing stipend + Overtime pay

No H1B Sponsorship

South San Francisco, CA, USA

In Person

Occasional travel or work outside standard business hours may be required for in-person engagements and events.

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Category
Business & Strategy (1)
Required Skills
Market Research
Communications
Business Strategy

Get referred to Zipline

See people who can refer or advise you

Requirements
  • You are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or have recently graduated and are excited to build experience in areas such as communications, business, marketing, public affairs, events, hospitality, or a related field. Master's and PhD students are also eligible.
  • You can turn research or a collection of inputs into clear, concise written materials.
  • You are highly organized and can track details, deadlines, and moving pieces while maintaining sight of the larger objective.
  • You are curious and analytical and can learn about new audiences, markets, and business problems and ask thoughtful questions before developing a solution.
  • You are comfortable taking initiative, working through ambiguity, and switching between strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
  • You are collaborative and excited to work with people across many different functions, backgrounds, and levels of the organization.
  • You are willing to support in-person engagements and events, which may occasionally require travel or work outside standard business hours.
Responsibilities
  • Research markets, stakeholders, and opportunities to help the team understand who to engage, why an opportunity matters, and how it connects to broader business priorities.
  • Help develop engagement strategies and briefing materials, including audience research, stakeholder profiles, experience concepts, agendas, talking points, and recommendations for internal teams.
  • Support planning and execution of strategic engagements such as VIP visits, technology demonstrations, partner events, market launches, community activations, conferences, and company-owned events.
  • Build and maintain project plans and workbacks, coordinating timelines, owners, guest lists, logistics, communications, production needs, and other dependencies across teams.
  • Partner with Government Affairs, Communications, Commercial, Operations, Partnerships, Workplace, Design, and other teams to gather information and keep projects moving.
  • Support onsite execution, create well-run experiences for guests, and solve problems as they arise.
  • Measure and document outcomes, stakeholder follow-up, lessons learned, and reusable resources to improve future engagements.

Zipline designs, builds, and operates autonomous delivery networks using two drone platforms: P1 fixed-wing drones for long-range, centralized deliveries with parachute drops, and P2 hover-drones for precise home deliveries. It provides end-to-end service, from drones and hubs to software and logistics, under government and enterprise contracts, earning revenue per delivery or per distribution center. The system enables zero-emission, instant logistics for medical supplies and consumer goods across multiple countries, with partners like Walmart and GNC. The goal is fast, reliable, scalable delivery that expands access to essential items, especially healthcare, through a fully integrated global network.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Series H

Total Funding

$2.1B

Headquarters

South San Francisco, California

Founded

2014

Get referred to Zipline

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • January 2026 funding lifted Zipline's valuation to $7.6 billion and fueled expansion.
  • July 2026 launches in Austin and Cleveland Clinic deepen U.S. commercial traction.
  • Executive hires from Tesla, Waymo, and Uber strengthen scaling, legal, and commercialization execution.

What critics are saying

  • FAA fined Zipline $73,000 for drug-testing failures; more enforcement would delay expansion.
  • Autonomous delivery depends on exemptions expiring October 31, 2026, creating regulatory chokepoints.
  • If a crash causes fatalities, local bans and FAA restrictions could cripple Zipline's network.

What makes Zipline unique

  • FAA-approved beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations still separate Zipline from rivals.
  • Zipline owns aircraft, software, and distribution hubs, enabling tightly controlled service quality.
  • Its two-platform system serves hospitals, restaurants, and retail across multiple continents.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Company Equity

Performance Bonus

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

-3%

2 year growth

-4%
NPR
Aug 1st, 2026
US drone delivery aids Rwanda healthcare, but infrastructure gaps and aid cuts pose risks

US company Zipline has been delivering medical supplies via drone in Rwanda since 2016, operating from distribution centres that serve hospitals across the country. The drones carry blood, vaccines, and medicines, with deliveries taking minutes compared to hours by road. The service has contributed to reducing maternal mortality. Government data shows deaths during childbirth fell from 1,000 per 100,000 women 26 years ago to 87 today. A new US grant will expand coverage, part of the Trump administration's approach promoting American businesses in global health work. However, the US has simultaneously cut $200 million in funding for aid groups providing food and health services in Rwanda. Healthcare workers note that whilst drone delivery is valuable, poor infrastructure including inadequate roads, electricity, and equipment at local clinics remains a significant challenge.

Associated Press
Jul 14th, 2026
Zipline's US marketplace grows 13X as drone delivery firm adds Tesla, Waymo, Uber execs

Zipline announced major US expansion plans, including launches in Cleveland and Austin. The drone delivery company's marketplace grew 13-fold during the first half of 2026, with businesses adopting its platform at unprecedented rates. In July, Zipline will launch healthcare home delivery with Cleveland Clinic in Beachwood, offering prescription deliveries to eligible patients at no additional cost. Austin operations will follow, providing food and retail deliveries in as little as five minutes. The company appointed three senior executives from Tesla, Waymo, and Uber. Sendil Palani joins as CFO after 17 years at Tesla, Kevin Vosen as Chief Legal Officer from Waymo, and Allen Penn as Head of Commercial from Uber. Zipline has completed over 2.5 million commercial deliveries and now operates more flights daily than major US airlines, with 70% occurring domestically. The company claims its medical deliveries help save over 12,000 lives annually.

CNBC
Jul 14th, 2026
Zipline hires ex-Tesla, Uber, Waymo execs as drone deliveries hit one every 20 seconds

Zipline has appointed former Tesla, Uber Eats, and Waymo executives to its leadership team as it scales drone delivery operations across the US. The South San Francisco startup now completes one drone delivery every 20 seconds and has surpassed 2.5 million commercial deliveries to date. Former Tesla finance vice president Sendil Palani joins as CFO, whilst Kevin Vosen, previously chief legal officer at Waymo, becomes CLO. Allen Penn, ex-Uber Eats vice president, will head commercialisation. Zipline's factory can produce 24,000 drones annually. The company works with clients including Cleveland Clinic, Little Caesars, Chipotle, and Walmart. CEO Keller Rinaudo expects the US business to grow 15 times this year, with roughly 70% of daily deliveries now occurring domestically.

PR Newswire
Jun 30th, 2026
Wonder partners with Zipline for drone-delivered meals across Texas from January 2027

Wonder, a food technology platform, has partnered with Zipline to launch drone delivery at its Texas locations starting January 2027. The service will begin in Dallas, with Wonder expecting most of its Texas sites to offer drone delivery by year-end 2027. Zipline's electric drones will autonomously deliver meals directly to customers' homes, leveraging the company's track record of over 2.5 million autonomous deliveries worldwide. The system includes the Zipline Dropbox, requiring no special packaging or costly infrastructure changes for restaurants. Wonder is developing infrastructure across Texas ahead of its 2027 expansion, including storefronts, kitchens and ordering technology. The partnership aims to improve delivery speed and reach underserved areas, making high-quality meals more accessible across the state's fast-growing metro regions.

Semafor
Jun 10th, 2026
Zipline plans Africa expansion with livestock insemination after Rwanda trial boosts farmer income 17%

Zipline, the Washington-backed drone delivery firm, plans to expand its livestock insemination services across Africa following trials in Rwanda. The company claims a recent study showed its cold-chain storage and drone delivery system resulted in a 17% increase in farmers' income from higher piglet and pork production. Rwanda country director Pierre Kayitana said the company is in advanced talks with Lesotho to begin operations and is negotiating with authorities in Kigali, Abidjan and Abuja to expand nationwide coverage through additional distribution centres. Rwanda is Zipline's largest African office. The company currently operates in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, focusing on large-scale drone deliveries across the continent.