Senior ECAD Library & Engineering Data Engineer

About You and The Role 

Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous delivery systems that rely on accurate engineering product data. Every prototype, production build, supplier order, repair, and field configuration depends on trusted component records, part numbers, ECAD models, and BOM data.

As the Senior ECAD Library & Engineering Data Engineer, you will own Zipline's managed Altium component library and help build the standards, workflows, and automation that keep hardware data accurate across engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and service. This is a hands-on role for someone who can create excellent ECAD library content, improve messy legacy data, and make it easier for engineers to find and reuse approved parts.

What You'll Do 

• Own the structure, standards, permissions, and daily operation of Zipline's managed Altium component library.
• Create, review, and release production-quality schematic symbols, PCB footprints, pad stacks, simulation models, and 3D component models.
• Verify component models against manufacturer documentation, including pinout, polarity, package dimensions, land pattern, solder-mask and paste definitions, assembly layers, and 3D alignment.
• Define practical standards for component templates, required parameters, naming, descriptions, revision schemes, lifecycle states, and review criteria.
• Audit and clean up existing library data, resolving duplicates, obsolete records, missing models, inconsistent parameters, and conflicting part numbers without breaking released-design traceability.
• Own the new-part request process from intake through review, internal part-number assignment, library creation, approval, release, and downstream synchronization.
• Review requested parts for duplicates, preferred alternatives, sourcing risk, lifecycle status, compliance requirements, and suitability for the intended design.
• Help define a scalable part-number and classification model for electrical parts, PCBAs, cables, harnesses, mechanical parts, assemblies, and related hardware items.
• Establish clear source-of-truth rules across Altium, PLM, ERP, procurement, manufacturing, and service systems.
• Improve EBOM quality so released BOM lines map cleanly to valid internal part numbers, manufacturer records, lifecycle states, revisions, and owners.
• Build scripts, queries, dashboards, APIs, or validation checks for library cleanup, duplicate detection, metadata quality, BOM comparison, lifecycle updates, and PLM or ERP synchronization.
• Train and support engineers and PCB designers on component selection, part requests, EBOM creation, lifecycle usage, and release expectations.

What You'll Bring

• Experience in ECAD library management, component engineering, engineering data management, hardware configuration management, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on expertise with Altium Designer and a managed Altium environment such as Altium 365 Workspace, Enterprise Server, Concord Pro, NEXUS, or Altium Vault.
• Experience creating and reviewing schematic symbols, PCB footprints, pad stacks, and 3D component models.
• Strong understanding of electronic components, package drawings, manufacturer datasheets, pinouts, land patterns, assembly constraints, and PCB fabrication and assembly processes.
• Practical knowledge of IPC-7351 land-pattern principles, relevant industry standards, and DFM requirements.
• Experience with component templates, naming conventions, parameter schemas, revision control, lifecycle states, permissions, and part-request workflows.
• Experience with EBOMs, item masters, internal and manufacturer part numbers, AML or AVL data, approved alternates, effectivity, and engineering change control.
• Understanding of how ECAD, PLM, ERP, procurement, MBOM, and service systems should work together without creating competing sources of truth.
• Ability to audit and migrate large component libraries while preserving revision history and released-design traceability.
• Experience using Python, SQL, Altium scripting, APIs, or equivalent tools to automate data validation, migration, and synchronization.
• Strong communication and service instincts: you can protect data quality without becoming a bottleneck to engineering execution.
• Ability to collaborate onsite regularly with hardware, manufacturing, and supply-chain teams in South San Francisco.

Nice to Have

• Experience with PLM or ERP systems such as Teamcenter or similar platforms.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, medical-device, robotics, high-volume, or other high-reliability hardware environments.
• Familiarity with RoHS, REACH, conflict minerals, export control, counterfeit prevention, or other component-compliance data.
• Experience establishing preferred-part programs, component-engineering councils, automated library validation, or cross-company part-number governance.

What Success Looks Like

• Engineers can quickly find and reuse approved components instead of creating unnecessary duplicates.
• Released EBOMs map cleanly to controlled part records, manufacturer data, revisions, lifecycle states, and ownership.
• Altium, PLM, ERP, procurement, manufacturing, and service records agree on release-critical part and BOM attributes.
• New-part requests move through a clear, visible process with agreed service levels.
• Library-related manufacturing issues, especially incorrect pin mappings, footprints, polarity, package selection, or BOM data, trend toward zero.

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!