About the role#
Zipline aircraft rely on embedded firmware to execute flight and safety functions across a network of microcontrollers and embedded Linux computers. You will own C++ firmware and supporting tools that are critical to the safety and operation of these systems. Working alongside electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers, you will turn hardware behavior and flight data into reliable software for deployed aircraft. This role requires you to be on-site in South San Francisco.
What you'll do#
- Design and build C++ firmware for a distributed system of aircraft microcontrollers.
- Develop reliable Ethernet, serial, and other communication interfaces.
- Define platform-level interfaces and reusable firmware components for aircraft subsystems.
- Own the performance of microcontroller systems and communication buses during startup, real-time operation, and fault recovery.
- Optimize real-time behavior including CPU utilization, memory usage, scheduling latency, timing jitter, and resource contention.
- Create metrics, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities to support field deployment at scale.
- Build Rust-based tooling and software-in-the-loop simulations to test and validate firmware behavior.
What you'll need#
- Experience writing C or C++.
- Prior internship or design team experience.
- Excellent grades in embedded systems coursework.
- Interest in firmware, real-time systems, and aircraft technology.
- Preference is given to rising seniors.
Location & details#
- Location: South San Francisco, California.
- Term: Winter 2027 (January to April/May).
- Modality: Full-time, on-site, 5 days per week.
- Paid internship.
About Zipline
Zipline operates an automated delivery system using robotics and autonomous technology. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on logistics for healthcare and retail sectors. It maintains a global presence with operations in countries including Rwanda and Ghana, alongside services in the United States. The organization is based in South San Francisco and employs nearly 1,900 people.
How to get in at Zipline
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