Real Estate Intern (Summer 2027)

About the Real Estate & Development Team 

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 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.

The Role

As a Real Estate & Development Intern based in our San Francisco office, you will help expand the physical infrastructure that makes Zipline’s delivery system possible. You will support projects from early site identification through approvals and development, helping turn promising locations into operational sites that serve customers and communities. Along the way, you will tackle complex, real-world challenges at the intersection of aviation, real estate, technology, and the built environment. You will work alongside and learn from experienced partners across Real Estate, Engineering, Operations, Government Affairs, and Communications. Your work will contribute directly to Zipline’s mission by helping bring fast, reliable delivery to more people in more places. 

What You'll Do

• Support market screening and site selection by evaluating zoning, land-use requirements, setbacks, utilities, easements, environmental conditions, and airspace considerations.
• Assess potential sites for feasibility and risk, identifying permitting hurdles, title issues, infrastructure constraints, and other factors that could affect development.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to translate technical requirements into practical site criteria, scopes of work, site plans, and permit-ready materials.
• Learn how projects move through local approval processes by working with city planners, zoning officials, building departments, and external consultants.
• Coordinate with landlords, brokers, and real estate partners to evaluate site readiness and support negotiations, including letters of intent, leases, and required exhibits.
• Prepare comparative site analyses, deal memos, and recommendation summaries that help cross-functional teams make informed investment and development decisions.
• Build project-management skills by maintaining timelines, budget estimates, and entitlement trackers, communicating progress to stakeholders, and preparing complete handoff packages for downstream teams.

What You'll Bring

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree in real estate, urban planning, engineering, construction management, architecture, geography, environmental studies, business, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in real estate development, site acquisition, infrastructure, permitting, or the built environment through coursework, projects, internships, or other relevant experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate information from multiple sources, identify potential risks, and form a clear recommendation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgment to work professionally with cross-functional teammates, consultants, property owners, and public-agency stakeholders.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate project information, and follow through on deadlines.
• Comfort learning new tools and working with maps, spreadsheets, plans, schedules, and project documentation; prior experience with specialized real estate, design, or construction software is not required.

What Else You Should Know

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco office. We will host our Summer 2027 interns from May/June to August/September. 

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

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Zipline ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.