Head of Aero

Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers.

The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain.

Join Zipline and help us to make good on our promise to build an equitable and more resilient global supply chain for billions of people.

It’s hard to fly without a foundational understanding of how to manipulate the air around you; as Head of Aerodynamics you’ll be responsible for the team that does exactly that.  We do not just analyze other peoples’ designs - we are a central force behind Zipline’s autonomous aircraft hardware and software development, working on everything from clean-sheet vehicle conceptual layout through to the detailed geometry design of all wetted surfaces using a variety of model-based and physical test approaches.  In addition to your proven record of building and managing small teams, you’ll have world-class experience in solving vehicle aerodynamic design challenges, with an unrivaled grasp of the fundamentals of applied aerodynamics, aircraft design and aeroacoustics.

You will be responsible for leading and developing the team that counts the following among its core deliverables:

• Conceptual design for new vehicles, as well as significant hardware revisions of existing platforms
• Building high quality aerodynamics plant models that are carefully validated through ground- and flight-based testing
• Advanced surfacing of all wetted surfaces (both external and internal), which are used by mechanical designers as inputs to produce the final parts
• Propeller designs that push the boundary of low noise, whilst maintaining high aerodynamic efficiency 
• Designing and maintaining our test hardware and methods, including internal wind tunnels, bench test set-ups, and instrumented flight test assets, as well as the essential aero measurement tools

This is a leadership role on a team that is central to Zipline’s success, and is therefore not an entry level position. Success in this role will require a disciplined and first-principles approach, with a deep connection and understanding at the system and product levels.  You’ll be naturally curious and able to work seamlessly with individuals and teams both inside and outside of your core engineering / scientific discipline.  Experience in many of the following areas are critical to your ability to contribute at the right level:

• You will have a minimum of 6+ years of industry experience, and either be a proven people leader or clearly ready to own and develop a small team (5-7 direct reports).
• Detailed flow analysis via Computational Fluid Dynamics using packages such as Fluent, Star-CCM+, openFOAM, powerFlow.  
• Generative design of three-dimensional aerodynamic objects, using advanced surfacing techniques in packages such as CATIA or NX
• Hands-on experimental aerodynamics, for example wind tunnel testing, using a variety of techniques including basic flow visualizations (surface oil flow, tufting), pressure measurements (e.g. pressure scanning, pressure sensitive paints), optical flow diagnostics (e.g. LDV, PIV) and load measurement
• Use of low and mid fidelity tools for basic aircraft sizing, for example XFOIL, XROTOR, OpenVSP, RCAS
• Fundamental understanding of a range of aero fundamentals, including: vortex dynamics, boundary layers, turbulence, finite wing theory, aircraft dynamics, three-dimensional flow separation, propeller theory, aeroacoustics, heat and mass transfer, internal flows, fan theory

This role is based out of our South San Francisco HQ with minimum of 5 days per week in office. Must be eligible to work in the US and travel globally as needed

The starting cash range for this role is $235,000 to $255,000. 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!