Civil Project Engineer

Company: Zipline
Location: Houston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About Zipline 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. About the Role The Ground System Deployments team is looking for an innovative, collaborative and self-driven Civil Project Engineer to join the team to ensure the successful deployment of Zipline’s Ground Systems in all possible applications and configurations. This role is well suited to seasoned civil engineers looking to apply their experience designing novel and innovative sites, foundations and structures to advance and accelerate the new and growing industry of autonomous drone delivery ground systems. With broad scope to influence the design of current and next generation systems this role will jopin a stellar team responsible for the site level designs, layouts, civil designs, structural and foundation designs and implementation. Interacting with various mechanical, structural and electrical engineering stakeholders across the organization this role will ensure the overall system and its site design work hand in hand to ensure the successful deployment of Ziplines Ground Systems within cost and timeline goals. This role has a mandate to drive positive change through the organization - as problems or scenarios occur this individual will be tasked with both 0 to 1 problem/project responsibility and also working with the broad engineering and deployments organization to implement foundation changes to product and process as needed. This position can be based out of our San Francisco, Dallas or Houston Offices. Onsite is preferred, but this role can be remote flexible with up to 50% travel for the right candidate. WHAT YOU’LL DO Act as the Civil Engineer of Record for Zipline projects in Texas and other jurisdictions Create, refine and update civil layouts for the sites. Act as the Zipline representative for any technical clarifications from cities or jurisdictions regarding our designs. Contribute to the civil and site design standards of Zipline sites. Contribute to the pavement, drainage, and sitescape designs and approaches of Zipline sites and structures. Advise on permitting, codes and and other certification efforts relevant to the projects and structures. Engage and interact with cities and relevant inspectors or relevant external parties to ensure timely project approvals and deployment. Ensure relevant and applicable civil strategies are investigated and implemented where appropriate - grading designs, curb designs, pavement designs Understand our internal and external customer’s business and needs and work with our internal engineering and business teams to refine and roadmap necessary changes to ensure the successful deployment of the Ground Systems infrastructure. Source and develop relationships with outside organizations (local jurisdiction, utilities, contractors, OEM and material suppliers etc). Evaluate all options and a lean budget, select best vendors to ensure reliable and quality services and products. Understand and mitigate the preconstruction, construction, operational and sustaining risks associated with each project. Interact directly with internal and external partners and stakeholders as needed. Domestic travel to project sites expected on an ad-hoc basis. WHAT YOU’LL BRING Civil Professional Engineering qualification with stamping capacity in Texas (or the ability to quickly obtain stamping capacity in Texas). Ability to stamp in Arizona and other sunbelt states a strong preference, or the ability and capacity to quickly gain this qualification. Bachelor's degree or higher with minimum 6 years of experience. The individual should have an Engineering background (Civil, others acceptable with relevant experience and stamping capacity) and have worked in the construction, electrical design/EPC, or renewable energy industry, or equivalent industries for 4 years. The individual should have experience (4yrs) in working with: Civil codes and building standards, and applicable design and management software. Technical Product Management, Technical Program Management or applicable areas. Systems engineering and system architecture. External design teams (Architectural, Structural, Civil,Electrical MEPs) on commercial or industrial development / construction projects. Experience with automated logistics, UAV aviation, EVSE Charging, Renewable Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems or equivalent industries a plus. Strong candidates should have excellent communications skills to: Drive internal alignment of requirements for projects based on business needs. Provide leadership team with updates on scope, schedule and budgets. Drive external parties for the implementation of real estate projects. Must be eligible to work in the US. What Else You Need To Know Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities. 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!

Keywords: Zipline, The Woodlands , Civil Project Engineer, Engineering , Houston, Texas