Forward Deployed AI Engineer, Zipline
Operations
$112.5-300k
More information about location
4-5 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
$112.5-300k
More information about location
4-5 days a week in office
1001+ employees
Company mission
To build the world's first logistics system that serves all people equally.
Role
Who you are
- We value past experience building things that work. We do not need specific degrees; we need results. Make sure your resume highlights what you have built, shipped, automated, scaled, or made real. It matters less where, when, or for whom you built it; what matters is that it was useful, ambitious, technically strong, and cool
- We value an engineering mindset focused on delivering production AI systems, not academic benchmarks
- You should have experience building with LLMs, data processing pipelines, and analytics tools, and you should be comfortable decomposing messy business problems into reliable technical workflows
- We require past experience building GenAI solutions, a strong understanding of the AI landscape, and a solid foundation in machine learning basics such as evaluation, training concepts, and problem decomposition
- You should be a strong coder, with proficiency in Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Java, C++, or similar languages
- You should be comfortable collaborating with technical and non-technical teammates, working in dynamic environments, and iterating directly with users
- Ability and interest in traveling to Zipline sites as needed is helpful up to 50% depending on the organization you’ll be deployed into
What the job involves
- Zipline is looking for Forward Deployed AI Engineers who will be at the forefront of bringing GenAI into one of the most complex real-world logistics systems in the world. We operate across software, hardware, aviation, robotics, healthcare, commerce, and field operations, which means the work is practical, high-stakes, and directly tied to production outcomes
- This role is similar to being a hands-on AI startup CTO inside Zipline: you report directly to the Head of Operations, work in a small team, own delivery of important projects, move quickly from problem discovery to shipped product, and partner directly with users. The impact will come less from demos and more from systems that are adopted, trusted, and used in daily operations
- Forward Deployed AI Engineers work directly with Zipline teams to own GenAI strategy and implementation for high-impact operational workflows and teams. On a daily basis, you will build end-to-end AI tools, take them to production, and solve real-world problems across aviation, logistics, fulfillment, maintenance, customer operations, and commercial teams
- You will work closely with operators, engineers, product teams, and business leaders to understand user needs, define the right technical approach, and implement solutions that improve how Zipline runs. You will also bring learnings from the field back into Zipline’s broader AI tooling, platforms, and best practices
Our take
Zipline is reinventing how the world moves goods - one flight at a time. What started as a bold idea to deliver life-saving medical supplies by drones has grown into the world's first logistics network designed to serve everyone, everywhere. From rushing blood and vaccines to remote clinics, to dropping off everyday essential for Walmart customers, Ziplines's autonomous drones are proving that fast, reliable delivery doesn't have to be limited by roads or geography.
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. Beyond government partnerships, Zipline has its sight set on everyday consumers, preparing to launch commercial deliveries straight to individuals houses. With its Walmart collaboration expanding and even Chipotle orders taking to the skies in Texas, Zipline isn't just redefining delivery - it's aiming to reach every corner of commerce, with a future that looks as bright as its ambitions.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
34% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 12 rounds)
Mar 2026
$200m
SERIES H
Jan 2026
$600m
SERIES H
Total funding: $2.1bn
Company HQ
South San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Keller Rinaudo Cliffton
(Co-Founder & CEO)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.
Salary benchmarks
We don't have enough data yet to provide salary benchmarks for this role.
Submit your salary to help other candidates with crowdsourced salary estimates.
Share this job
View 22 more jobs at Zipline