Zipline
Staff Firmware Engineer - Motors
$210K–$250K
South San Francisco, California, USA +1 · Staff · Full-time · Posted Oct 22, 2026
- Location
- South San Francisco, California, USA
South San Francisco, California, United States
About the job
Develops and validates motor controller firmware, controls algorithms, and supporting systems for Zipline’s autonomous aircraft.
What you'll do
- Design and implement propulsion motor and actuator estimators and controllers; write firmware and peripheral drivers for motor controller hardware.
- Validate firmware through bench and flight testing, simulations, and hardware-in-the-loop testing; improve system reliability and fault management.
- Build fleet monitoring systems and collaborate with electrical, vehicle controls, and systems teams on hardware and inverter validation.
What they ask for
- Fluency in C/C++; eagerness to write Rust and Python.
- Mastery of nonlinear estimation techniques and classical control theory.
- Experience with mechatronic control systems; hobby projects or professional experience are applicable.
- Experience supporting real-world robotic systems, including edge cases and rare events; able to work on-site in South San Francisco, CA.
Nice to have
- Background in electronics design.
Pay
$210,000 - $250,000 USD starting cash range
Tools
C++, Rust, Python, ARM microcontroller, Matlab, Julia, RTOS, embedded Linux
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative