Staff Software Engineer, Zipline
Embedded Linux
$180-235k
3-5 days a week in office
Transforming the way goods move
Be an early applicant
Transforming the way goods move
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
$180-235k
3-5 days a week in office
1001+ employees
Company mission
To open up access to emergency medical care to everyone in the world.
Role
Who you are
- Strong software engineering skills, with proficiency in at least one strongly typed language; we use Rust and C++ onboard, and Python for tooling
- Deep expertise in embedded Linux development, including experience with kernel modifications, userspace programming, and performance tuning
- Experience working with Yocto or other build systems for custom Linux distributions
- Strong software architecture skills, with experience designing and shipping solutions for complex real-world use cases
- A systems-oriented mindset, with a focus on reliability, fault tolerance, and performance optimization
- Technical leadership skills and experience owning large technical systems that other engineers contribute to
- Detail-oriented mindset to think through validating a system’s safety
What the job involves
- As a Linux Software Engineer at Zipline, you’ll build and maintain our Yocto-based Linux kernel BSP powering our flight computers, enabling our highly autonomous aircraft to safely fly over millions of homes day-in and day-out
- You will work closely with other Linux experts on this team
- You will also work closely with software engineers who build user-space applications and drivers
- This job also spans the entire development lifecycle, working with the Release team, owning validation, and analyzing performance from real-world flight tests
- Our technical stack is built on embedded Linux, running on three desktop-grade computers with a distributed network of sensors, redundant communication links, and actuators
- We are looking for detail-oriented engineers with deep expertise in embedded Linux and distributed systems, including kernel development, userspace tooling, real-time performance tuning, system reliability and core operating systems activities
- Design and build the software architecture necessary to run everything from critical flight software to interconnected ground-based hardware on embedded Linux systems
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of our custom Linux distribution on Yocto, ensuring a reliable and performant foundation for our flight and ground-based systems
- Analyze the runtime characteristics of our Linux-based avionics software in flight to build confidence in its performance, with a focus on system reliability, maintainability, and optimization
- Develop and optimize kernel and userspace drivers for production and prototype sensors, and refine sensor data APIs for perception, navigation, and other autonomy software engineers
- Develop metrics, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities to prepare the system for field deployment at scale
- Design and build data collection and testing tools to support early-stage evaluation of new sensors, communications systems, and edge compute platforms
Our take
Zipline is transforming the way goods move by creating the first logistics system that serves all humans equally via a drone delivery service. As the first emergency drone logistics operation, Zipline is fundamentally changing how we transport emergency medical supplies and has expanded into commercial deliveries. It's partnered with several major companies, including Walmart.
Zipline has an edge over potential future competitors as the company has thousands of hours and over 35 million miles of flight to prove the system is safe and effective. It’s also one of the first companies to receive a full commercial operating certificate, putting Zipline in a strong position to continuously branch out to other markets.
The unicorn company operates globally and has signed its first government contract with Rwanda to provide up to 2 million drone deliveries by 2029. It is also aiming to start commercial deliveries to individual households in the near future. With big companies such as Amazon and Walmart examining “instant” delivery options, Zipline has a proven track record and the equipment and logistics in place to provide such services. 2023 funding pushed Zipline's valuation to a staggering $4.2 billion, indicating a bright future.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
34% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 8 rounds)
Apr 2023
$330m
SERIES F
Jul 2021
$250m
SERIES E
Total funding: $813.7m
Company benefits
- Generous parental leave
- Generous vacation policy
- Monthly wellness stipend
- Monthly team events
- Healthcare, vision, and dental
- Healthy, delicious meals and snacks
- Dog-friendly offices
Company HQ
South San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Having studied Economics and Biotechnology at Harvard, they worked for almost 11 months as a self-employed rock climber. They combined their academic and practical experience to co-found Zipline in July 2011.
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