Supplier Industrialization Engineer (Mechanical Generalist)

About Zipline Zipline’s mission is to provide every human on Earth with instant access to vital medical supplies. We believe that where you live should never dictate whether you live. We are at the forefront of a logistics revolution, using autonomous aircraft to deliver just-in-time, life-saving medical supplies at national scale in several countries and expanding around the world. Are you interested in building a system that 500 million people will depend on with their lives? About the Role As a Supplier Industrialization Engineer (SIE) focused on Mechanical and Top-Level Assembly (TLA) , you will play a mission-critical role in scaling Zipline’s manufacturing supply chain from prototype to high-volume, global production. You’ll serve as a technical bridge between engineering and supply chain, embedding DFM/DFA best practices into the design process while driving supplier selection, tooling development, automation strategy, and quality assurance. This role requires deep technical expertise across a broad spectrum of mechanical and electromechanical commodities —including motors, magnetics, thermal management systems (heat pipes, fans, housings), cameras, antennas, injection-molded plastics, and high-volume metal fabrication (casting, forging, stamping, and sheet metal) . You'll work with suppliers around the world to ensure high-yield, scalable processes that meet Zipline’s rigorous safety and quality standards. What You’ll Do 🏭 Supplier Development & Selection Audit, qualify, and manage global suppliers across a wide range of manufacturing processes including: Motor winding , magnetic assemblies , and thermal components such as heat exchangers, heat sinks, fans, and ducts Injection and blow molding , vacuum forming , and foam molding for plastic and elastomeric parts High-volume metal forming processes including die casting , forging , sheet metal forming , and stamping Precision assemblies for cameras , sensors , and aerospace-grade antennas Evaluate supplier capability to support automation, tight tolerance control, and consistent quality in both prototyping and full-rate production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define supplier selection criteria that support both technical requirements and cost targets. 📏 Quality & Compliance Own quality systems implementation with suppliers—ensuring compliance with ISO9001 , AS9100 , and IATF16949 standards. Lead development and execution of pFMEA , SPC , PPAP , and process control documentation, tailored to each commodity type. Conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) and Gage R&R studies to validate supplier capability in thermal system performance, magnet alignment, plastic part shrinkage, and casting dimensional repeatability. Use JMP , Minitab , or R to analyze manufacturing trends, monitor yield performance, and drive defect reduction. Investigate field and test issues related to motors , thermal components , or sensor modules , working with suppliers on root cause analysis and corrective actions. ⚙️ Process Optimization & Manufacturing Readiness Partner with engineering to apply DFM/DFA early in design —with special focus on parting lines, wall thickness, cooling paths, tolerances, and fastener strategies across all materials and assembly types. Develop and optimize process flows for key assemblies that integrate motors, heat management elements, and electromechanical actuators . Define and lead semi-automated and fully automated processes for component manufacturing and top-level integration, including for camera and sensor modules , magnetic assemblies , and foam-molded aircraft exteriors . Implement robust End-of-Line (EOL) testing strategies: Collaborate with automation teams to implement robotic assembly cells and in-line test stations for cost-efficient, scalable production. What You’ll Bring ✅ 7+ years of experience in Supplier Industrialization , Supplier Quality , or Manufacturing Engineering for mechanical and electromechanical systems, such as: Motors and magnetic assemblies (including winding, insulation, dynamic balancing) Thermal systems , such as heat pipes, fans, housings , and thermal interfaces Injection molding , vacuum forming , and foam molding High-volume metal production : die casting, stamping, forging, and sheet metal Cameras, sensors, and RF-based components (e.g., antennas) ✅ Strong understanding of fixture design , tooling development , and DFM for high-throughput, precision manufacturing ✅ Hands-on experience with NPI ramp , supplier audits , and automated process qualification ✅ Proficiency in GD&T and 3D CAD tools (e.g., NX, SolidWorks) ✅ Experience with EOL testing development and in-process inspection systems for critical parts ✅ Data-first mindset—confident using statistical tools (JMP, Minitab, Python) to drive root cause and quality tracking ✅ Exceptional cross-functional communicator, able to lead conversations across engineering, operations, and external supplier teams Why Join Zipline? At Zipline, we’re pioneering the future of logistics with cutting-edge autonomous technology that saves lives. As a Supplier Industrialization Engineer, you will have a direct impact on scaling our mechanical manufacturing processes, ensuring that we can deliver high-quality products at scale. If you thrive in dynamic, hands-on environments, love solving complex manufacturing challenges, and are excited to drive innovation in supplier development, we want to hear from you! 🚀 What else you need to know This role is an in-person role, based out of our South San Francisco HQ. Must be eligible to work in the US and travel globally 40-50% of the time as needed. The starting cash range for this role is $130,000 - $185,000. 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; overtime pay; 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!