Zipline International

Applied Aerodynamicists

Zipline International · South San Francisco, CA
South San Francisco, CA $155K–$180K Posted 2026-10-05
Salary
$155K–$180K
Type
Full-time

About Zipline

Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world’s largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we’ve built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people’s lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

Zipline International Inc. has multiple openings in South San Francisco for a Applied Aerodynamicists.

DUTIES: Perform aerodynamic design using experimental and simulation methods, including full-scale vehicle and component testing in wind tunnels and during flight testing. Analyze experimental

aerodynamic data, including both ad hoc analyses and the development of automated, repeatable standard test methodologies. Identify and implement improvements to aerodynamic measurement

techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis methodologies. Design, develop, and maintain aerodynamic test assets, fixtures, and experimental facilities. Generate, manipulate, and analyze

aerodynamic databases for both airframe and propulsion systems. Conduct multivariate aerodynamic trade studies to inform system-level design decisions and present results to stakeholders.

Position allows for limited telecommuting. Some domestic travel required.

Minimum requirements for entry into the position: Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or related field and 36 months of experience in the job offered or inan Applied Aerodynamicist-related occupation.

The salary range for this position is $155,000 to $180,000.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

$60K — 10th pctl $230K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $167K vs. market median $130K for Operations roles
+30%
above median
Based on 19,000+ Operations roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
Zipline

Zipline

Drone Delivery · Series E+ · South San Francisco, USA

Stage & Valuation
Series E+ · $7.6B
Key Investors
Fidelity, Baillie Gifford, Tiger Global
Open roles on NewJob
Most hiring in
Engineering (79) · BizOps (23) · Operations (13)
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates an autonomous drone delivery system. The company focuses on delivering medical supplies, food, and groceries globally with fast, zero-emission logistics.
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