Design Manager / Projects Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager / Projects Manager

Company: Zipline

Location: South San Francisco, California, USA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Operations & Infrastructure Management / Project Management

Date Posted: April 21, 2026

Experience Level: 6-10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for Zipline's rapid expansion, focusing on the technical design and permitting of ground infrastructure for their autonomous delivery network.

• The Design Manager / Projects Manager will orchestrate the end-to-end design lifecycle for multiple concurrent site development projects, ensuring timely and efficient execution from concept to construction release.

• A key aspect involves acting as a technical liaison, translating complex engineering requirements into actionable plans for city planners, contractors, and internal stakeholders.

• The position demands a proactive approach to identifying and resolving technical, schedule, and constructability roadblocks to accelerate the deployment of Zipline's innovative logistics system.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "technical orchestrator" and "expansion engine" for Zipline's physical infrastructure. The emphasis on "0 to 1" projects and "design for deployability" suggests a need for individuals who excel in building processes and systems from the ground up within a high-growth, fast-paced environment, rather than simply managing existing workflows. The "general athlete" description highlights the need for broad technical understanding and strong interpersonal skills to navigate diverse stakeholder needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• End-to-End Project & Program Ownership:

  • Own the complete delivery and design process for multiple concurrent site development projects across various metropolitan areas, from initial concept development through permit approval and construction drawing issuance.
  • Proactively manage and accelerate project schedules, ensuring critical milestones (concept, permit submission, Issued For Construction - IFC) are met on time.
  • Identify, track, and resolve potential schedule constraints, technical roadblocks, design challenges, constructability issues, and site-specific constraints early in the process to mitigate downstream risks and rework.
  • Manage project budgets specifically allocated for design and engineering services.
  • Maintain a comprehensive overview of risks, dependencies, and critical path items across the entire portfolio of projects.

• Design & Technical Workflow Management:

  • Lead the creation, refinement, and adjustment of Civil and Electrical engineering drawing sets, managing the workflow from initial conceptual layouts to permit-ready sets and finally to construction release documents.
  • Coordinate and manage cross-functional design teams, including civil, electrical, structural, and architectural disciplines, to ensure the production of complete and compliant drawing sets.
  • Develop and implement standardized design processes, templates, and specifications to enhance scalability, consistency, and efficiency across all Zipline sites.
  • Champion "design for deployability" by providing critical feedback loops to hardware engineering teams, informed by field insights and jurisdictional requirements.

• Permitting & Regulatory Compliance:

  • Oversee the submission of permit applications for multiple sites across diverse metros and jurisdictions, including essential coordination with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) and utility providers.
  • Serve as the primary internal point of contact for the permitting submission process, managing the incorporation of city comments and securing necessary approvals to expedite permit release.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Handoff:

  • Act as the central point of contact, fostering effective communication and collaboration among internal stakeholders, external consultants, and third-party partners.

  • Partner closely with Real Estate, Civil/Electrical Engineers, and Construction Managers to ensure that site designs are not only compliant with regulations but also practical and "buildable."

  • Support contractor bidding and preconstruction activities by ensuring construction documents are complete, clear, and unambiguous.

  • Facilitate seamless handoffs to construction teams, ensuring alignment on scope, design intent, and critical execution requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a high degree of ownership and proactive problem-solving. The mention of "0 to 1" projects and driving "design for deployability" indicates a need for candidates who can establish processes and influence product design based on real-world site constraints, rather than just executing pre-defined plans. The focus on "accelerating the deployment of a new industry" underscores the strategic importance of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical), Construction Management, or a closely related technical field.

Experience:

• 6-10+ years of progressive experience in Design Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Infrastructure Delivery, site development, large-scale infrastructure projects, or light commercial construction.

• Prior experience serving as an Engineer of Record (EOR) or Architect of Record is considered a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Technical Drawing Proficiency: Deep understanding and ability to read, interpret, and review construction drawings and specifications across multiple trades and disciplines (Civil, Electrical, Structural, Architectural).

• Civil & Electrical Engineering Fundamentals: Basic knowledge of civil engineering design principles, including grading, drainage, and utility systems, and fundamental understanding of electrical site design, including distribution and relevant codes (e.g., NEC).

• Project Management Expertise: Demonstrated success in managing multiple concurrent, high-priority, and "0 to 1" projects through the design, permitting, and construction documentation phases, with meticulous attention to detail.

• Schedule & Budget Management: Proven ability to effectively manage project schedules, budgets, and cross-functional dependencies within complex project environments.

• Consultant Management: Experience managing external consultants (engineering firms, architects) and driving deliverable accountability to ensure project timelines and quality standards are met.

• Regulatory & Permitting Acumen: Familiarity with standard permitting processes, zoning requirements, and effective coordination with local jurisdictions and utility providers.

• Communication & Collaboration: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to interface effectively with both technical and non-technical teams, including executives, engineers, city officials, and contractors.

• Adaptability & Resilience: Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments where progress must be driven with incomplete or ambiguous information, demonstrating resilience and grit.

Preferred Skills:

• CAD Software Familiarity: Experience with CAD software (e.g., Autodesk products like AutoCAD, Revit) or a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to quickly learn such tools independently.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management tools such as Procore or Bluebeam is a plus, indicating an understanding of industry-standard construction management platforms.

• Engineer/Architect of Record Experience: Prior experience as an EOR or Architect of Record, signifying a deeper level of technical responsibility and accountability.

• Specialized Infrastructure Experience: Experience in sectors like EV charging, solar, or telecom infrastructure, which involves similar challenges in site development and regulatory navigation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Great candidates" section in the original posting provides crucial insight into Zipline's expectations. It highlights a preference for proactive problem-solvers who challenge requirements for scalability, implement systemic changes to prevent future issues, and view permitting as a strategic milestone. This implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss their strategic thinking and ability to influence processes beyond simply executing tasks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 significant projects managed from conception through to construction documentation or permitting, demonstrating your ability to navigate complex design and regulatory landscapes.

• Technical Drawing Examples: Include examples of Civil and/or Electrical drawing sets you have managed or contributed to, highlighting your understanding of grading, drainage, utilities, or electrical distribution.

• Permitting Process Documentation: Present documentation or case studies that illustrate your experience with municipal permitting processes, including interactions with AHJs and successful permit acquisitions.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Detail instances where you standardized design processes, templates, or specifications to improve scalability and consistency, ideally with measurable outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Provide examples of how you effectively collaborated with diverse teams (e.g., Real Estate, Construction, Hardware Engineering) to achieve project goals, resolving conflicts and driving alignment.

• Risk Mitigation Strategies: Showcase how you proactively identified and mitigated technical, schedule, or constructability risks in past projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing and managing end-to-end workflows for site development, from initial concept through to construction release.

• Scalability & Standardization: Demonstrate your experience in developing standardized processes, templates, and specifications to support rapid, scalable deployment across multiple sites.

• Performance Metrics: Articulate how you track and measure the success of design and permitting processes, focusing on key metrics such as schedule adherence, budget management, and permit approval times.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on "0 to 1" projects and scaling infrastructure, a portfolio should strongly emphasize the candidate's ability to build processes, define standards, and drive systemic improvements. Quantifiable results related to accelerated timelines, reduced rework, or cost savings due to process optimization will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match, aiding long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure work-life balance.

• Stock Options/Equity: Potential for equity grants, offering participation in Zipline's growth and success.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and advancement within the organization.

• Commuter Benefits: Assistance for commuting to the on-site location.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Protection for employees and their families.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Zipline values a results-oriented approach, and occasional flexibility may be required to meet critical project deadlines or address urgent issues, particularly during permitting or construction phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry data for similar roles in the specified high-cost-of-living area and considering the experience level and specialized technical requirements. Specific compensation will be determined by the hiring team based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and performance during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Logistics & Autonomous Delivery Technology. Zipline operates at the cutting edge of drone logistics, integrating robotics, autonomy, and sophisticated software to create a novel delivery infrastructure. This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a focus on safety, regulatory navigation, and significant societal impact.

Company Size: Zipline is a rapidly growing, well-funded startup that has achieved significant scale, operating on four continents and completing millions of deliveries. This implies a dynamic environment with established processes but also a strong culture of agility and problem-solving.

Founded: Zipline was founded in 2014, indicating a mature startup phase with a proven business model and operational track record, yet still retaining the innovative spirit and growth trajectory of a newer company.

Team Structure:

• Operations & Infrastructure Focus: The role sits within a team responsible for building and scaling Zipline's physical delivery network. This team likely comprises specialists in real estate, civil engineering, electrical engineering, construction management, and operations planning.

• Reporting Dynamics: The Design Manager / Projects Manager will likely report to a Director or Head of Infrastructure/Operations, with direct management or significant influence over external engineering consultants and coordination with internal construction and operations teams.

• Cross-Functional Integration: This role is inherently cross-functional, requiring close collaboration with Real Estate (site acquisition), Hardware Engineering (system design), Legal/Policy (regulatory compliance), and Field Operations (implementation and feedback).

Methodology:

• First Principles Thinking: Zipline emphasizes problem-solving from first principles, encouraging a deep understanding of fundamental challenges to develop innovative solutions.

• Data-Driven Decisions: While this role is heavily design and project-focused, the underlying operations rely on robust data analysis for efficiency, safety, and strategic planning.

• Agile Deployment & Iteration: The company's rapid growth and global operations suggest an agile approach to deploying infrastructure, with continuous feedback loops for improvement and iteration.

• Safety & Compliance First: Given the nature of autonomous systems and public infrastructure, a rigorous approach to safety, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance is paramount.

Company Website: https://www.flyzipline.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Zipline's mission to "serve all humans equally" and its focus on "practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth" suggest a culture that values impact, innovation, and execution. Candidates should be prepared to articulate how their work contributes to these broader goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level position within the operations and infrastructure domain. It requires a blend of technical expertise, project management proficiency, and strategic thinking. It's a step beyond pure engineering or project execution, involving ownership of processes and driving scalable solutions.

Reporting Structure: Typically, this role would report into a senior leader within the Infrastructure or Operations division (e.g., Director of Infrastructure, Head of Site Development). They will manage relationships with external consultants and work closely with peers in Real Estate, Construction, and Engineering.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager / Projects Manager has a direct and substantial impact on Zipline's growth trajectory. By efficiently designing and permitting ground infrastructure, they directly enable the expansion of Zipline's delivery network, which in turn increases service reach, operational capacity, and revenue potential. Their work is foundational to scaling the entire logistics system.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Infrastructure Expansion: Potential to lead larger, more complex infrastructure projects or manage a growing team of design and project managers as Zipline scales globally.

• Process Optimization Leadership: Opportunity to define and implement best practices for site design, permitting, and construction documentation across the entire organization, becoming a subject matter expert.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Develop deep expertise in various aspects of the logistics and autonomous systems industry, potentially leading to roles in broader operations strategy, program management, or even hardware integration.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like civil infrastructure for autonomous systems, electrical distribution for advanced logistics hubs, or international permitting strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Great candidates challenge requirements" and "implement systemic changes" ethos points to significant growth potential for individuals who can demonstrate strategic impact and process innovation, not just task completion. This role is positioned as a key driver of Zipline's physical expansion.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, requiring the Design Manager / Projects Manager to be physically present at Zipline's South San Francisco location. This facilitates direct collaboration with engineering, operations, and leadership teams.

Office Location(s): South San Francisco, California, USA, a hub for biotech and technology innovation, offering a dynamic professional environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for in-person interaction with cross-functional teams, including engineers, project managers, and operations specialists.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to necessary design, project management, and communication tools and technologies will be provided to support efficient workflow.

• Team Interaction: The role involves regular interaction with a diverse group of professionals, promoting knowledge sharing and a dynamic work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule is expected, but the demanding nature of project deadlines, permitting cycles, and rapid expansion may necessitate flexibility. The focus is on achieving project milestones and ensuring timely delivery of critical infrastructure.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is on-site, Zipline's emphasis on "practical problem solvers who thrive on real-world challenges and rapid growth" suggests an environment that values initiative and proactive engagement. Candidates should be comfortable with a fast-paced, hands-on work setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your high-level experience in project/design management and infrastructure.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect interviews focused on your technical understanding of civil and electrical design, permitting processes, and construction documentation. Case studies or scenario-based questions related to managing complex projects and resolving technical challenges will be common.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session will likely be allocated to review your submitted portfolio. Be ready to walk through specific projects, explain your role, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the outcomes achieved, with a focus on process and scalability.

• Cross-Functional / Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with peers and leaders from related teams (e.g., Real Estate, Construction, Operations) will assess your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills in a cross-functional context. Questions will focus on how you handle ambiguity, drive alignment, and manage stakeholders.

• Final Round / Executive Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, alignment with Zipline's mission, and overall fit for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact & Scalability: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific actions, and the measurable impact on schedule, budget, or scalability. Highlight how your work enabled Zipline's expansion.

• Demonstrate Process Ownership: Showcase instances where you improved or standardized design and permitting processes. Use the "Great candidate" criteria as a guide – how did you challenge requirements, implement systemic changes, or proactively shape strategic milestones?

• Technical Depth with Clarity: Be prepared to discuss technical details of Civil and Electrical drawings, but also translate them into business value and actionable tasks for different audiences.

• Visual Aids: Use clear visuals in your portfolio (diagrams, flowcharts, redacted drawings) to illustrate complex processes and project scopes effectively.

• Storytelling: Frame your experience as compelling narratives. Explain the 'why' behind your decisions and the 'how' of your execution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Problems: Prepare for hypothetical scenarios involving complex permitting roadblocks, conflicting stakeholder requirements, or tight project deadlines. Focus on your structured approach to problem-solving.

• Process Design Exercise: You might be asked to outline a process for designing or permitting a new type of facility or resolving a common site constraint. Emphasize efficiency, scalability, and risk mitigation.

• Technical Review: Be ready to review a sample drawing set or a technical challenge and provide feedback, identifying potential issues and proposing solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "challenging requirements" and "implementing systemic changes" suggests that interviewers will be looking for candidates who demonstrate strategic foresight and a proactive, improvement-oriented mindset, rather than just execution capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your vision for optimizing Zipline's infrastructure deployment processes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency or demonstrated ability to learn CAD software such as Autodesk AutoCAD, Revit, or similar platforms is crucial for reviewing and managing drawing sets.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Procore or Bluebeam is preferred, indicating experience with industry-standard platforms for construction project management, document control, and collaboration.

• Collaboration Platforms: Experience with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace for communication and document sharing.

• Document Management Systems: Familiarity with systems for organizing, storing, and versioning large sets of technical documents and drawings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, the ability to interpret data from project management tools (e.g., schedule adherence, budget variance) and use it to inform decisions is important.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, as it focuses on physical infrastructure design and project management rather than customer relationship management or sales/marketing automation. However, understanding how the physical infrastructure supports the broader operational automation is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Procore and Bluebeam suggests these are either currently in use or highly valued. Candidates should be prepared to speak to their experience with these or similar construction management platforms, emphasizing how they leverage these tools for efficiency and control.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact & Mission Alignment: A strong commitment to Zipline's mission of serving all humans equally, understanding that efficient infrastructure deployment directly enables this goal.

• Scalability & Efficiency: A drive to build systems and processes that are not just functional but highly scalable and efficient, supporting rapid global expansion.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages identifying potential issues before they arise and implementing robust solutions, rather than reacting to problems.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and a willingness to share information, feedback, and challenges across teams to ensure alignment and collective success.

• Grit & Resilience: The ability to persevere through complex challenges, ambiguity, and rapid change, maintaining a positive and results-oriented attitude.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: A highly collaborative approach, working closely with Real Estate, Engineering, Construction, and Operations teams, ensuring all perspectives are considered in the design and permitting process.

• Consultant Management: Professional and assertive management of external consultants, driving them to meet Zipline's standards for quality, schedule, and cost.

• Feedback Integration: An open-door policy for feedback, both giving and receiving, to continuously improve designs, processes, and project execution. The role is expected to actively solicit and integrate feedback from field operations and construction teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zipline's emphasis on "practical problem solvers" and "sculpting from first principles" indicates a culture that values deep thinking, innovation, and a hands-on approach. Candidates should demonstrate how they embody these traits in their collaborative efforts.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Diverse Jurisdictions: Managing the complexities of varying permitting processes, zoning regulations, and utility requirements across multiple cities and states simultaneously.

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Accelerating the design and permitting timeline to meet aggressive deployment schedules without compromising the quality, safety, or buildability of the infrastructure.

• Integrating Evolving Designs: Incorporating feedback and design changes from hardware engineering or field operations into ongoing projects while maintaining schedule integrity.

• Managing Ambiguity: Operating effectively in a fast-paced environment where information may be incomplete or change rapidly, requiring adaptability and decisive action.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and buy-in from diverse internal and external stakeholders who may have competing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Technical Expertise: Gaining exposure to a wide range of civil and electrical infrastructure challenges specific to autonomous logistics operations.

• Process Development & Optimization: Opportunity to define and refine Zipline's core processes for site development, permitting, and construction documentation, leaving a lasting impact on the company's scalability.

• Industry Exposure: Working with cutting-edge logistics technology and contributing to the development of a new industry standard for drone delivery infrastructure.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced leaders in operations, engineering, and project management within a rapidly growing company.

• Career Advancement: Clear pathways for growth into senior project management, team leadership, or specialized infrastructure roles within Zipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges described highlight the need for a candidate who is not only technically proficient but also possesses strong resilience, strategic thinking, and exceptional problem-solving skills to navigate the inherent complexities of scaling a novel infrastructure network.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you managed multiple complex, concurrent infrastructure projects from '0 to 1' through the permitting and construction documentation phases. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure success?" (Focus on your process, risk management, and ability to handle ambiguity.)

• "How would you approach standardizing design and permitting processes for Zipline's ground infrastructure to support rapid global expansion? What metrics would you track?" (Highlight your strategic thinking, focus on scalability, and data-driven approach.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Zipline's mission and our role in revolutionizing logistics?" (Connect your personal values and career aspirations to Zipline's impact.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, especially when there are differing opinions or priorities?" (Provide specific examples of successful collaboration and conflict resolution.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear structure: Problem/Objective -> Your Role & Actions -> Challenges -> Solutions -> Outcomes (quantified where possible).

• Highlight Scalability: Emphasize how your work on specific projects contributed to or could contribute to Zipline's ability to scale its operations efficiently.

• Focus on Process Improvement: If you standardized a process or improved efficiency, make this a central theme. Use visual aids like flowcharts to illustrate your impact.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: While you'll present the highlights, be prepared to answer detailed questions about the civil and electrical aspects of your projects.

• Connect to Zipline's Needs: Tailor your presentation to explicitly address the requirements outlined in the job description, demonstrating how your experience directly maps to Zipline's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss not just what you did, but how you did it and why. Zipline's emphasis on "great candidates" suggests they're looking for strategic thinkers who can articulate their impact and potential to drive systemic improvements.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through Zipline's careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in design management, infrastructure delivery, civil/electrical engineering oversight, and successful permitting. Ensure these projects highlight your ability to manage complexity, drive timelines, and implement scalable solutions.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description, such as "Design Management," "Project Management," "Civil Engineering," "Electrical Engineering," "Permitting," "Site Development," "Infrastructure Delivery," and "Construction Management." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics related to project completion, schedule adherence, or efficiency improvements.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare a concise overview of your portfolio projects, focusing on your role, challenges, solutions, and impact, especially concerning scalability and process improvement.

• Research Zipline: Thoroughly understand Zipline's mission, technology, and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with their goals and how you would contribute to their unique operational challenges.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.