Firmware Engineer Intern (Spring 2027)

Job overview

The Firmware Engineer Intern (Spring 2027) is an onsite, full-time internship in South San Francisco, California; compensation is $54 per hour. Zipline’s firmware team develops embedded software for aircraft and delivery-system microcontrollers, supporting the company’s autonomous delivery mission.

What you'll do

• Design C++ firmware for aircraft microcontrollers
• develop Ethernet, serial, and other communication interfaces
• define reusable platform-level components
• support reliable startup, real-time operation, fault handling, and recovery
• optimize real-time performance
• build monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities
• and develop Rust-based tools and software-in-the-loop simulations to validate firmware.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

firmware engineer intern

spring 2027

c++

embedded firmware

microcontrollers

aircraft systems

rust tooling

software-in-the-loop simulation

south san francisco ca

zipline

$54/hr

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Potential relocation support, housing stipend, overtime pay, and paid sick time, where applicable.

Why this role

Spring 2027 internship running January through April/May; onsite five days per week. Prior internship or design-team experience and C or C++ experience are sought; rising seniors are preferred. Additional benefits may include relocation support, a housing stipend, overtime pay, and paid sick time, where applicable.

About the employer

Zipline is hiring for this role. Industry: Local Messengers and Local Delivery. Sector: 49.