Software Engineer - Systems Validation

ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Zipline is looking for software engineers to build the tools and infrastructure that power our systems validation and flight test organizations. This team develops precise, efficient, and scalable software solutions used to validate aircraft and ground systems at every level.

Our work spans everything from integrating real avionics, sensors, actuators, and radios with high-fidelity simulated environments in bench-top Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) setups, to building applications that plan, orchestrate, and evaluate thousands of automated nominal and off-nominal real-world flight tests every day. This role directly impacts the speed, confidence, and quality of hardware and software development at Zipline.

In this role, you will develop a deep understanding of Zipline’s end-to-end logistics system and work closely with cross-functional partners who rely on your tools to deliver reliable, flight-ready software. Most importantly, the systems you build will serve as the final line of defense before software and hardware is deployed globally to perform critical, real-world deliveries.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design, build, and maintain HIL test infrastructure that integrates real aircraft hardware with simulated systems and environments.

• Develop software tools, frameworks, and services to enable large-scale automated and semi-automated system validation.

• Support a high-throughput flight test organization running thousands of daily tests, from targeted regression tests to rare off-nominal scenarios.

• Write and maintain test software, drivers, and interfaces for embedded and Linux-based systems.

• Support test framework architecture designs and improvements.

• Debug complex validation failures spanning simulation, hardware, firmware, and application software

• Create system-level validation plans from unit testing all the way to flight

• Collaborate with flight test engineers, avionics, autonomy, embedded software, and infrastructure teams to define system-level validation strategies.

• Improve test reliability, debuggability, and signal-to-noise as systems and test volume scale.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent practical experience.

• 4+ years of experience in software engineering for complex, hardware-backed, or safety-critical systems.

• Extensive experience in Python, specifically using test systems (e.g. pytest)

• Some experience testing Rust, C++, and C

• Extensive experience working with CI/CD systems.

• Experience working with multimeters, oscilloscopes, and hardware instruments.

• Experience developing and executing test plans for complex, safety critical, embedded and cloud software.

What Else You Need to Know

The starting cash range for this role is $150,000 - 180,000. 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, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

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!