Software Systems Validation Intern (Summer 2026)

About Zipline

Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the worlds 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 Ziplines 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 Ziplines 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 System Validation Team

Ziplines Software Systems Validation team ensures that all the software powering our autonomous delivery aircraft works reliably safely and as intended in the real world. We operate at the system levelevaluating how components like navigation perception controls planning and actuation work together as a cohesive product.

The team partners closely with Embedded Software Autonomy Systems Engineering Test Infrastructure and Data Platform groups to build validation tools analyze performance and identify risks early. Our work spans simulation hardware testing data-driven analysis and system-level evaluations that support deployments across the globe.

As an intern youll collaborate with engineers across these domains gaining hands-on exposure to how industry-leading autonomous systems are designed tested and validated at scale.

The Role

As a Software Systems Validation Intern you will help evaluate the software that enables Ziplines autonomous drone delivery system. Youll contribute to building tests tools metrics and visualizations that help the team understand system performance identify issues and ensure reliability before flight.

This role is designed for someone excited to learn how complex robotic systems are validated who enjoys problem-solving and who wants to build real-world experience working with autonomy software data analysis and systems engineering.

What Youll Do

• Support the design and execution of test scenarios across the autonomous software stack to validate system-level requirements
• Help develop and improve validation tools workflows and automation
• Build basic visualizations or metrics that highlight performance trends gaps or regressions
• Work with test infrastructure and data platform teams to run validation pipelines
• Analyze results and contribute to identifying root causes of failures or unexpected behavior
• Document findings and communicate insights to engineering stakeholders

What Youll Bring

• Currently pursuing a Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science Software Engineering Aerospace Engineering Robotics or a related field
• Coursework or project experience in robotics controls estimation navigation perception or software development
• Familiarity with testing debugging or validation methodologies (academic or project-based experience counts!)
• Experience with data analysis using Python SQL or similar
• Basic proficiency with a compiled language such as C/C or Rust
• Curiosity attention to detail and a desire to learn how autonomous systems are validated in real-world environments

Bonus Skills (Nice to Have)

• Exposure to hardware actuators sensors and interfacing with software
• Experience with robotics competitions club projects or research labs
• Interest in requirements development reliability engineering or statistical validation

What Else You Should Know

Our internships are full-time positions in-person at our South San Francisco or Dallas office. We will host our Summer 2026 interns from May or June to August.

Candidates are limited tothree (3) applications within a 30-day period.

The starting cash range for this internship is $40 - 44/ 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 candidates experience qualifications skills and working location. The total compensation package for each role may also include: a housing stipend; overtime pay; relocation support; 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.