Real Estate & Development Intern (Summer 2026)

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!

The Real Estate & Development team identifies, secures, and entitles the sites that power Zipline's network. We source markets, lead site selection and due diligence (zoning, utilities, environmental), negotiate LOIs/leases and land agreements, and drive design, entitlements and permitting with municipalities and partner real estate teams. We align stakeholders, manage budgets and schedules, and deliver permitted, ready-to-build locations—spanning test sites and regional hubs—before handing off to construction. By turning candidate properties into drone delivery sites at speed, we enable Zipline to scale into new regions and deliver life-changing logistics where they're needed most.

As a Real Estate & Development Intern in the San Francisco office, you will be responsible for supporting the rolling out of our systems across multiple metros and paving the way imagining how the UAS world meets the built environment - not just for Zipline but for our customers and the industry as a whole. You will be involved in managing the entire process from site identification through permitting, approvals, and development.

You will be working with numerous cross-functional teams such as Communications, Government Affairs, Engineering and Operations teams to tackle all the technical challenges we face head-on to get our customer's sites operational as quickly as possible. You will have to be technically savvy, and be able to develop relationships with customers, vendors and contractors.

This position is based out of our headquarters in San Francisco.

What You'll Do

Site Selection, Feasibility & Risk:

• Support market screening and site selection using zoning maps, land-use plans, setbacks, utilities, easements, and airspace considerations.
• Conduct feasibility and risk assessments; flag entitlement hurdles, permitting challenges, environmental constraints, title issues, and site-specific limitations.
• Partner with Engineering/Operations to translate technical needs into site criteria; assemble application packages (site plans, narratives, exhibits) with consultants.

Permitting & Pre-Construction:

• Engage with city planners, zoning officials, and building departments to streamline permitting processes.
• Identify and mitigate preconstruction and construction risks, including permitting challenges, environmental constraints, and site-specific infrastructure limitations.
• Work with engineering teams to compile requirements, derive a scope of work, then develop site plans and drawings necessary for permit submission.

Real Estate Transactions & Stakeholder Coordination:

• Work with landlords, brokers, and partner real estate teams to align on site readiness, LOI/lease terms, and required exhibits.
• Prepare comparative site analyses, deal memos, and recommendation summaries for internal review.
• Maintain project trackers (timelines, budgetary estimates, entitlement status) and provide regular updates to stakeholders.
• Compile complete handoff packages to downstream teams once sites are entitled and ready to proceed.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Others) or Real Estate & Development.
• Interest in real estate development, civil engineering, and/or pre-construction.
• Proficiency in construction software (e.g., Microsoft Project), Smartsheet, Bluebeam, (Revit / AutoCAD a bonus).
• Ability to interface with government officials, permitting agencies, and community stakeholders to advocate for and secure project approvals.
• Bonus: Experience working in aviation, logistics, or autonomous vehicle infrastructure.
• Strong candidates should have excellent communications and problem solving skills.
• The individual will be based at Zipline's headquarters in San Francisco.

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco or Dallas office. We will host our Summer 2026 interns from May or June to August.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer-sponsored work authorization now or in the future.

Candidates are limited to three (3) applications within a 30-day period.

The starting cash range for this internship is $32 - 36/ hour. 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. The total compensation package for each role may also include: a housing stipend; overtime pay; relocation support; paid sick time; and more.

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!

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.