Embedded Software Engineer Intern

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software, firmware, drivers, and safe software architectures for autonomous aircraft and ground delivery systems.
• Build RF radio test setups, manufacturing software test suites, hardware-in-the-loop integrations, and simulation-based validation tools.
• Develop real-time coprocessor firmware, telemetry systems, and software using ADCs, I2C devices, and GPIO interrupts.
• Prototype and integrate perception systems, compute modules, and sensors for flight proof-of-concept testing.
• Work with mechanical, electrical, operations, and other cross-functional teams to improve aircraft launch, landing, reliability, and global system deployment.
• Validate systems through bench-top, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and real flight testing, and use data to diagnose failures.

Requirements

• Pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering and having completed at least the second year of undergraduate studies; Master’s and PhD students are also eligible.
• Experience designing, building, or deploying electromechanical systems or robots in or outside the classroom.
• Comfort programming in at least one of C, C++, Python, or Rust.
• Experience developing software for a real-time operating system or embedded Linux.
• Basic electrical engineering knowledge, including reading schematics, debugging with an oscilloscope, and using communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and UART.
• Ability to develop efficient, readable, well-tested code with friendly APIs and minimal technical debt, and to incorporate feedback.

Benefits

• Full-time internship from January 2027 through April 2027.
• In-person work at Zipline’s South San Francisco office.
• Potential relocation support, housing stipend, overtime pay, paid sick time, and other benefits where applicable and subject to local requirements.