Quality/Manufacturing Operations Engineering Intern (Summer 2025)

About Zipline

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 the first instant logistics system that serves all humans equally. Leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy, Zipline designs, builds, and operates a fleet of cutting edge, autonomous delivery drones. We serve tens of millions of people around the world.

Joining Zipline’s Emerging Talent program as an intern is an opportunity to contribute to our promise of building a system that provides equitable access to critical healthcare supplies for millions of people. We believe that internships are more than just opportunities to learn by watching or doing low level tasks. We expect our interns to take on meaningful work that actively contributes to moving Zipline’s mission forward, while learning real-world skills that will serve them in their careers for the long term. 

Join us, and build the future of logistics with the best humans around!

About the Operations Engineering Team (AME/MQE/SIE)

Zipline’s operations engineering team is split into three disciplines; Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME), Manufacturing Quality Engineering (MQE), and Supplier Industrialization Engineering (SIE). The organization as a whole is responsible for ensuring the success of Zipline’s manufacturing, operations and supply chain and the products that are produced.

The Roles

As an AME Intern, you will be focused on designing assembly lines & equipment for Zipline’s Top Level Assemblies (TLAs) that will be manufactured at Zipline's Final Assembly, Test & Pack (FATP) Contract Manufacturers (CMs). This involves working with internal & external cross-functional stakeholders on design for manufacturing & assembly, assembly process and equipment design, assembly line commissioning, validation & continuous improvement to ensure Zipline can continue to serve its customers with better operational efficiency.

As an MQE Intern, you will be focused on the quality and reliability of Zipline’s in-house manufacturing. This involves tracking yield performance, performing root cause analysis and corrective action implementation on assembly and functional test failures, and helping to build a world class manufacturing organization by implementing innovative processes to improve performance during manufacturing and in the field.   

As an SIE Intern, the projects you undertake will be focused on the improvement of manufacturing operations & quality at critical Zipline suppliers. This involves working with internal & external cross-functional stakeholders on design for manufacturing & assembly, manufacturing process design & implementation, statistical quality control, and root cause analysis to ensure that Zipline suppliers can meet quality, cost & delivery targets set for them.

As an MQE Intern, you will:

• Quality Assurance & Control: Assist in monitoring & improving manufacturing processes to ensure product quality meets company standards. 
• Failure Analysis and Corrective Action: Assist in failure analysis and work with cross functional teams to implement corrective & preventive actions to eliminate the issue. 
• Process Optimization & validation: Support the continuous improvement activities on the production floor. Assisting validation of the existing & new process to ensure consistently producing quality parts.
• Root Cause Analysis: Support RCA activities by applying tools like 8D, 5 Why, Fish bone to derive root cause of issues & drive corrective actions. 
• Documentation & Training: Develop and maintain quality documentation like control plans, work instructions, and FMEA to ensure compliance. Assist in training Quality operators to the quality standards and procedure.
• Data Tracking & Reporting: Monitoring key quality metrics such as first-pass yield, deviation reporting & tracking, performing MRB review & dispositioning the material.   

As an SIE Intern, you will:

• DfX Discussions: Conduct Design for X (DfX) discussions with internal and external stakeholders to gather and implement feedback on part designs, ensuring that they are optimized for manufacturability and assembly.
• Supplier Qualification & Onboarding: Assisting SIE’s  in evaluating & qualifying new suppliers based on Zipline’s SQA. 
• Process Development and Implementation: Assist in the development and implementation of manufacturing processes and systems to ensure that suppliers meet the requirements outlined in the Zipline Approval Process (ZAP).
• Documentation: Assisting in developing & reviewing ZAP documents for seamless manufacturing at vendor location.
• Fixture Design & Automation: Support designing check fixtures & propose automation strategies as needed for robust manufacturing at vendor facilities. . 
• Root Cause and Corrective Actions: Assist suppliers in performing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implementing Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to address quality issues and prevent their recurrence.
• Supplier Performance Tracking: Track, report, and review Supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in collaboration with internal teams (e.g., GSM, Finance) and external suppliers to create action plans for systemic performance improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborating with Engineering,Manufacturing Quality,Global Supply Chain  team to ensure seamless integration of supplier processes into Zipline’s production.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands on experience in assembly line design, process automation & optimization. 
• Cross Functional collaboration with internal teams, vendors, contract manufacturers contributing to real-world projects that drive manufacturing efficiency. 
• Expertise in process documentation like FMEA,MPI etc. 
• Participate in RCA & corrective action implementation, sharpening your ability to troubleshoot & solve production problems. 
• Gain valuable experience in technical knowledge transfer & operational support. 
• Learn how to apply Continuous Improvement methodologies, contributing to smoother & efficient operations.

What You'll Bring 

• Must have at least completed the second year of your Undergraduate studies. Masters and PhD students are also eligible. 
• Proficiency in 3D CAD Software (NX preferred) & ability to read Engineering Drawings (with GD&T)
• Understanding of traditional & non-traditional manufacturing processes (Machining, Injection Molding, Sheet Metal Stamping, 3D Printing, PCBA Manufacturing, Mechanical or Electromechanical Assembly, etc.)
• Understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
• Understanding of Problem Solving Frameworks (8D, FTA, Pareto Analysis, etc.) & RCA/ CAPA Techniques used within these frameworks
• Willingness to work in a super fast-paced environment that is in a constant state of evolution
• Be a student pursuing a(n) graduate/ undergraduate degree in one of the following concentrations: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Mathematics.

Good To Have:

Experience designing products or manufacturing processes through 1+ internship(s), or full-time work in one of the following fields: New Product Introduction, Project/ Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supplier Quality/ Industrialization, Metrology, Industrial Engineering, or Strategic Sourcing or Have demonstrated excellence in one of the above fields

What Else You Need to Know   

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Summer 2025 interns from May - August.

The starting cash range for this role is $37 - 41 / 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, and working location. The total compensation package for this role may also include: overtime pay; commuter benefits; paid sick time; 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!

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.