Strategic Operations Intern – Data & Tooling (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 Strategic Operations Team

The Strategic Operations team exists to drive clarity speed and scale across Platform 2. We are the operating system behind Platform 2 breaking through blockers building systems that last and delivering measurable results. Without us things stall; with us things accelerate.

As Zipline enters a period of hyper-scale Strategic Operations is the backbone enabling this growth. We are a small high-leverage team that sees around corners and builds the foundation for scale.

This role will work closely with Business Operations Data Platform Application Software and Site Operations to ensure the entire Operations organization has the data models internal tools and automation required to meet Ziplines scaling ambitions.

The Role

As a Strategic Operations Intern Data & Tooling you will build the technical infrastructure that helps Zipline scale its drone delivery network. Youll drive requirements for data models automate operational workflows and develop lightweight internal tools that give our teams clearer visibility and faster decision-making.

This is a hybrid role at the intersection of software data and operations. Youll work with real production data partner with cross-functional teams and build tools that directly influence how our delivery network grows and performs.

If you love turning ambiguous operational problems into elegant technical systems this role is for you.

What Youll Do

• Streamline and document core data models that support forecasting operational performance measurement and site-level decision-making - ensuring all the necessary data is accessible and well defined
• Develop internal tools and scripts (e.g. Python SQL web dashboards) that automate manual workflows and improve operational efficiency.
• Partner with Data Platform to productionize new pipelines or enhance existing ones to ensure data quality reliability and scalability.
• Work with Business Operations Maintenance and Site Ops to deeply understand operational pain points and translate them into technical requirements.
• Prototype and test new tooling solutionseverything from simplified UIs to backend automation to new analytical frameworks.
• Create dashboards and analytics artifacts (Mode ThoughtSpot Looker) to drive better visibility into fleet performance throughput and scaling constraints.

What Youll Bring

• Experience working with SQL and at least one programming language (Python strongly preferred).
• Exposure to data modeling ETL or analytics engineering concepts.
• Ability to translate operational needs into clean technical solutionsand iterate quickly as you gather feedback.
• Comfort working with messy real-world data and ambiguity.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an inclination toward automation over manual work.
• Experience building small internal tools scripts or dashboards in past projects coursework or internships.
• Excitement for learning how software data and operations intersect in a real production environment.
• Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science Engineering Data Science or a related technical field.

Bonus Points For:

• Experience with Snowflake dbt or similar pipeline tools
• Familiarity with web app frameworks (Flask FastAPI React)
• Previous exposure to operations logistics or robotics environments

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 $32 - 36/ 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.