Aircraft Software Integration Intern (Summer 2027)
About this role
Students who enjoy learning how complex software systems come together to power real-world autonomy will thrive in this internship. Zipline builds autonomous logistics networks and delivery drones, requiring practical problem solvers to support vehicle integration and engineering projects.
As a Software Integration Intern, you will work at the intersection of robotics, embedded software, and systems engineering. You will help test and integrate features that affect how autonomous aircraft fly, adapt routes, and respond to unexpected situations by utilizing simulation tools and flight telemetry.
The Software Integration team ensures that planning, perception, and controls software works reliably on the aircraft and in simulation. This role exists to support hardware systems integration and engineering projects through data analysis, dashboard development, and machine learning exposure.
What you will do
- Assist in analyzing datasets from engineering systems, vehicle sensors, and other sources to uncover patterns and support predictive modeling efforts.
- Help design clear and visually appealing charts and dashboards using tools such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, or Tableau to communicate findings.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of real-time dashboards that track key metrics and system performance.
- Support data cleaning, preprocessing, and organization tasks while writing simple SQL queries and learning how to work with databases.
- Gain exposure to machine learning by assisting with model development and validation for autonomy applications.
- Learn to apply scientific and engineering programming techniques to develop small data pipelines, automate processes, and run simulations.
- Support software-related tasks such as building scripts or tools to improve workflows and automation.
What you need
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- Familiarity with Python for scientific programming using libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, and Plotly.
- Basic understanding of SQL for querying and working with data.
- Coursework or experience with statistics, linear algebra, or numerical methods.
- Familiarity with machine learning concepts or frameworks such as Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or Keras.
- Willingness to communicate findings clearly with technical and non-technical teammates, along with strong written and verbal skills for documentation and presentations.
Nice to have
- Exposure to software development practices such as version control with Git, debugging, and documentation
- Prior exposure to robotics systems, automation, or sensor data through coursework, projects, or clubs
- Exposure to object-oriented programming like C++ or Java
- Familiarity with cloud services like AWS, GCP, or Azure, or big data tools like Spark or Hadoop
Benefits
- Housing stipend
- Overtime pay
- Relocation support
- Paid sick time
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the remote policy for this role?
Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Summer 2027 interns from May/June to August/September.
What is the pay rate for the internship?
The starting cash range for this internship is $54 per hour. 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.
What qualifications are needed in terms of education and technical skills?
Candidates must be currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Familiarity with Python, SQL, and basic software development is helpful, alongside coursework in statistics, linear algebra, or numerical methods.
Are there application limits for candidates?
Candidates are limited to three applications within a 30-day period.