> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2722825-manager-system-test-engineering-and-operations](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2722825-manager-system-test-engineering-and-operations). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Manager - System Test Engineering and Operations - **Company:** Zipline - **Location:** South San Francisco, CA, United States - **Salary:** $170,000.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Custom Software, Software Debugging, Hardware Design, Software Tools - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/manager-system-test-engineering-and-operations-zipline-8776361 ## About the Role * Demonstrated experience leading test engineers, equipment designers, and technicians for complex hardware programs. * Experience planning and running environmental, durability, and reliability test campaigns that inform engineering decisions. * Strong hardware-debugging intuition and electrical troubleshooting skills for aircraft or similarly complex electromechanical systems. * Ability to design, build, or specify custom test equipment and facility infrastructure for demanding test conditions. * Sound judgment to prioritize test capability, campaign scope, and fault investigations across multiple hardware programs. * Familiarity with disciplined test processes and software for hardware configuration, maintenance, data capture, and test planning. * Adaptability when bringing new or first-of-its-kind hardware into test while maintaining rigorous evidence and safe execution. * Excellent ability to "get unstuck" and make progress in a complex and changing environment. ## Description System Test is a ultra-fast-pace team responsible for pathfinding new hardware and delivering on environmental and durability campaigns for zipline's major hardware categories. The direct team is small and lightweight, and interacts with most departments at Zipline. You will lead a small special-ops team of test engineers and technicians across environmental, durability, and replicated-flight testing. You will own the system-test facility roadmap and campaign portfolio, make tradeoffs on test capability and execution, and partner with hardware and flight-test teams to turn findings into hardware-release and reliability decisions. This team, and the fast discovery of hardware faults, is core to the success of Zipline and the velocity of hardware development and deployment. What You'll Do * Own multi-month system-test campaigns that demonstrate aircraft and major hardware through replicated flight conditions, extreme environments, and targets exceeding 20,000 cycles per aircraft. * Hire, lead, and develop test engineers and technicians who build assets, execute campaigns, and diagnose hardware faults. * Set the test-facility roadmap, including equipment design, procurement, custom development, aerodynamic design, and thermal design. * Architect test plans combining vibration, wind, rain, thermal, ingress, freeze-thaw, lightning, and other environmental exposures. * Deliver and upgrade large-scale test assets, including full-vehicle wind tunnels, walk-in thermal chambers, high-temperature/high-humidity chambers, and monsoon ingress test cells. * Establish operating processes for simultaneous test legs and clean handoffs of tested hardware to flight-test programs. * Drive in-house software tools for aircraft maintenance, cycle-life counting, and test planning to improve campaign execution and decision quality. * Be extremely adaptive to new hardware, new programs, and getting first-of-its-kind hardware into testing. ## Related Videos - [ Secure Code Superstars: Empowering Developers and Surpassing Security Challenges Together](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/422-secure-code-superstars-empowering-developers-and-surpassing-security-challenges-together) - [Product discovery techniques developers should know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1009-product-discovery-techniques-developers-should-know) - [Quantum Computing - The tiny and the big challenges](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/934-quantum-computing-the-tiny-and-the-big-challenges) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) - [Building a hypercar from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/607-building-a-hypercar-from-scratch) - [Software stack under and over the hood of the fastest accelerating car in the world](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/221-software-stack-under-and-over-the-hood-of-the-fastest-accelerating-car-in-the-world) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [What is a Test Plan: Guide to Test Planning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/191-what-is-a-test-plan-guide-to-test-planning) - [The 8 Best Code Testing Tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/402-the-8-best-code-testing-tools) - [What is Software Engineering?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/289-what-is-software-engineering) - [From developer to manager – what does it take to become an engineering manager?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/42-from-developer-to-manager-what-does-it-take-to-become-an-engineering-manager) - [Should senior developers refuse interview coding challenges?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/29-should-senior-developers-refuse-interview-coding-challenges)