Public Affairs Intern (Spring 2026)

About Zipline 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 the first instant logistics system that serves all humans equally. Leveraging expertise in robotics and autonomy, Zipline designs, builds, and operates a fleet of cutting edge, autonomous delivery drones. We serve tens of millions of people around the world. Joining Zipline’s Emerging Talent program as an intern is an opportunity to contribute to our promise of building a system that provides equitable access to critical healthcare supplies for millions of people. We believe that internships are more than just opportunities to learn by watching or doing low level tasks. We expect our interns to take on meaningful work that actively contributes to moving Zipline’s mission forward, while learning real-world skills that will serve them in their careers for the long term.  Join us, and build the future of logistics with the best humans around! About the Regulatory & Government Affairs Team   The Regulatory and Government Affairs team is responsible for Zipline’s policy, regulatory, and government engagement activities globally. The team develops and executes strategies to secure regulatory approvals, maintain ongoing compliance, and shape the policy environment to enable Zipline’s growth. Working closely with regulators, elected officials, and their staff, across multiple disciplines, as well as multilateral and industry partners, the team ensures Zipline is able to safely and efficiently scale its operations and transform global logistics through innovative drone technology. The Role As a Public Affairs Intern at Zipline, you will play a hands-on role in helping to shape the policy environment that enables cutting-edge drone logistics to thrive. You’ll track and analyze regulatory developments, support communications and policy engagement, and help prepare materials for, and attend, meetings with government officials. Your research and contributions will directly inform Zipline’s strategy to expand safe, innovative, and scalable drone delivery networks. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with experienced policy and government affairs experts, attorneys, communications, and cross-functional teams, gaining exposure to real-world regulatory problem-solving at the intersection of aviation, health, and technology. This internship offers a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to Zipline’s mission of transforming global logistics and increasing access to essential goods. What You'll Do Dive into regulatory research by : Tracking federal and state rules on aviation, drone operations, and autonomous logistics Analyzing proposed legislation during the 2026 state legislative sessions to determine potential impact to Zipline Mapping out land use and zoning processes in key deployment regions   Help shape Zipline’s voice with policymakers by : Contributing to Zipline’s “policy toolkit” for local governments and planning bodies Drafting external communications Creating clear, visual materials to support Zipline’s policy engagement   Keep our team connected and on track by : Maintaining trackers for approvals, hearings, and outreach timelines Coordinating with legal, communications, and deployment teams to align on messaging and milestones Providing regular updates on public affairs activities   What You'll Bring Current student pursuing a degree in law, public policy, political science, communications, or a related field Research rigor and synthesis : able to find, interpret, and distill complex information into clear, concise takeaways and recommendations. Strong writing + detail orientation : excellent spoken and written English, attention to detail, ability to produce clean, well-structured written content. Project management discipline : organized, systematic, and dependable in juggling deadlines. High-trust communicator : asks smart clarifying questions, listens actively, and collaborates effectively across teams. Solution-oriented mindset and professionalism : responsive, proactive, and mission-driven. Logistics : Ideally in-person at Zipline’s San Francisco CA headquarters or Dallas-Fort Worth TX location. Remote options may be considered for graduate students; available for in-person meetings at a Zipline site as needed, with occasional U.S. travel if required. What Else You Should Know Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco or Dallas office. We will host our Spring 2026 interns from January to April.  Candidates are limited to  three (3) applications within a 30-day period. The starting cash range for this role is $1,700 / week. 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, and working location.  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.