Executive Drone Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve all humans equally by ensuring access to food, medicine and essential goods anytime, anywhere. We design, build, and operate the world's largest autonomous logistics system, delivering critical supplies quickly and reliably. Today, Zipline operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 30 seconds, and has completed millions of deliveries to date, including blood, vaccines, medical supplies, food, and retail products.

Our customers include the world's largest and most prominent healthcare systems, governments, retailers, restaurants and global businesses who rely on us to save lives, reduce emissions, increase economic opportunity, and provide delivery from point A to point B as fast as possible. The drone is only 15% of what we've built to enable seamless, reliable, global operations.

Our system strengthens supply chains, reduces congestion, and gives people time back. With more than 140 million commercial autonomous miles safely flown, Zipline is redefining access to healthcare, consumer products, and food across the globe.

We operate at a global scale and are looking for practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth. Our team is motivated by building systems that have a direct, meaningful impact on people's lives and by scaling the future of logistics. We are seeking people who sculpt from first principles, enjoy facing adversity, and can do the impossible at record breaking speeds.

Are you passionate about taking advanced electromechanical products from prototype to high-volume production? In this role you will lead the industrialization of electric motors used in autonomous drone systems, partnering with engineering, sourcing, manufacturing and global suppliers to ensure scalable, reliable and cost-effective production.

This is an in-person role based at Zipline headquarters requiring approximately 50% travel throughout Japan and Southeast Asia to support strategic manufacturing partners.

• Lead supplier qualification, development and industrialization for BLDC motors, servo motors, geared motors, actuators and drone propulsion systems.


• Own supplier readiness from prototype builds through production ramp.


• Assess supplier manufacturing capability, process maturity, quality systems and capacity.


• Lead APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, FAI, MSA, SPC and process validation activities.


• Drive DFM/DFA reviews with engineering and suppliers focusing on rotor/stator design, magnets, winding, bearings, balancing, thermal performance and manufacturing robustness.


• Lead supplier recovery activities and executive escalations.


• Drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, capacity and reliability.


• Develop should-cost models and support sourcing strategies.


• Lead manufacturing readiness for design changes, new product introductions and manufacturing transfers.


• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Procurement and Operations to ensure successful product launches.


• Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and supplier performance management.

• 8+ years of Supplier Industrialization, Supplier Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI or Operations Engineering experience.


• Experience launching high-volume electric motors or electromechanical products.


• Strong understanding of BLDC motors, servo motors, rotor/stator manufacturing, magnets, winding, bearings and automated assembly.


• Experience with global manufacturing partners.


• Knowledge of AS9100, ISO9001 and IATF16949 quality systems.


• Hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC and production validation.


• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.


• Willingness to travel approximately 50% throughout Japan and Southeast Asia.

• Business proficiency in Japanese strongly preferred.


• Experience supporting aerospace, robotics, automotive, industrial automation or high reliability products.


• Lean Six Sigma certification.


• Experience with manufacturing transfers and supplier development.


• Direct experience with design, fabrication, assembly or manufacturing motor and/or motor subcomponents.

This role will require travel of approximately 50% of the time throughout Japan and Southeast Asia to support strategic manufacturing partners.

The starting cash range for this role is $178,900 - $268,300. 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 medica