Zipline Logo

Zipline

Senior Power Electronics Engineer - Ground Systems

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
In-Office
South San Francisco, CA
170K-245K Annually
Senior level
In-Office
South San Francisco, CA
170K-245K Annually
Senior level
Lead the electrical design and development of high-performance power electronics for drone charging and docking systems, from requirements and architecture through schematic capture, PCB layout, validation, production, certification, and deployment. Collaborate with mechanical, embedded, reliability, and systems teams; conduct trade studies, resolve field issues, and improve system designs. The role requires hands-on expertise in AC-DC and DC-DC conversion, battery charging, high-voltage semiconductors, digital communications, lab testing, and electrical safety standards.
The summary above was generated by AI
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.

About You and The Role 

Zipline is seeking a senior-level electrical engineer to lead the design and development of high-performance power electronics systems that support our drone charging and docking infrastructure.

The Ground Systems team at Zipline is in charge of all the infrastructures on the ground supporting our autonomous delivery drones with automatic docking, battery charging, thermal management, ground communication and preflight check. This role is central to enable our next generation of drone logistics, solving complex challenges in power distribution, power conversion, battery charging, high performance microprocessor, high-speed network communication and system-level integration. You'll bring deep technical expertise in power electronics to help shape Zipline’s global infrastructure as we scale.

In addition, you’ll work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to own the electrical system development from concept to production. This is a hands-on engineering role, ideal for someone who wants to push the limits of hardware in the real world.

What You'll Do 
  • Own the electrical design of Zipline’s drone charging systems for volume production through a full design cycle including requirements, prototype, schematic capture, layout, and validation.
  • Shape the architecture of Zipline’s next generation product, making impactful design decisions daily, while working with a high level of independence. 
  • Lead trade studies, understand competing design priorities, and provide direction and clarity for burning down risk.
  • Proactively seek out opportunities for improvement in system and component level design.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with reliability, mechanical, embedded, and systems engineers in all stages of development, including:
    • Concept: System requirement, specification, tradeoff
    • Design: Schematic capture, PCB layout, system integration
    • Validation: Function and reliability test
    • Production: DFM, design drawings, manufacturing, EOL test, certification
    • Deployment: Troubleshoot field issues, develop rapid mitigations, roll learnings into future design revisions
  • Travel occasionally to support supplier and manufacturer visit, product deployment, and field validation
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and testing power electronics hardware (AC-DC, DC-DC, battery charging, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of high-voltage power semiconductors like SiC or Si MOSFETs
  • Deep knowledge of circuit topologies for AC-DC and DC-DC power conversion
  • Design experience with MCU and digital communications (Ethernet, SPI, I2C, UART)
  • Proficiency in schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation tools (Altium, SPICE, etc.)
  • Familiarity with UL, IEC, and other electrical safety standards
  • Strong lab skills and familiarity with test equipment like oscilloscope, digital multimeter, power analyzer, LCR meter, function generator, spectrum analyzer, etc
  • Experience with  EMI filter design and inductor/transformer design is a strong plus
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills across engineering disciplines
  • Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
What Else You Need To Know

The starting cash range for this role is $170,000 - $245,000. 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, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; 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!

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.

Similar Jobs

A Minute Ago
In-Office
Los Angeles, CA, USA
73K-196K Annually
Senior level
73K-196K Annually
Senior level
Information Technology • Internet of Things • Mobile • On-Demand • Software
Leads national advertising sales across linear TV, streaming, digital, and addressable platforms. Develops agency and advertiser relationships, drives revenue, creates multi-market campaigns, leads RFP responses and negotiations, and uses market, audience, and competitive insights to identify growth opportunities and guide pricing and sales strategy.
Top Skills: Addressable AdvertisingAudience Data AnalyticsDigital AdvertisingLinear TvStreaming
A Minute Ago
In-Office
Los Angeles, CA, USA
119K-328K Annually
Expert/Leader
119K-328K Annually
Expert/Leader
Information Technology • Internet of Things • Mobile • On-Demand • Software
Leads national core and political advertising sales across assigned markets, overseeing managers and support teams. Owns regional budget attainment, develops sales strategies, manages major client and agency relationships, forecasts performance, negotiates revenue opportunities, and collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders. The role also drives team culture, account stewardship, and business growth while traveling as needed to support clients, agencies, and partners.
Top Skills: EclipseStrata
A Minute Ago
In-Office
Los Angeles, CA, USA
48K-95K Annually
Junior
48K-95K Annually
Junior
Information Technology • Internet of Things • Mobile • On-Demand • Software
Prospect and sell telecommunications solutions to small businesses through consultative needs analysis and territory-based outreach. The Account Executive manages leads through closing, meets sales and product targets, maintains CRM records, coordinates order execution, and supports customer satisfaction. This field-based role requires frequent driving and walking, collaboration with internal teams, and participation in sales training. A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and insurance are required. Spanish proficiency and B2B outside sales experience are preferred.
Top Skills: ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerpointMicrosoft WordSalesforceTelecommunications

What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene

Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.

Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
  • Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account