Fun with Zipcar

[chanaleh]

http://www.zipcar.com/about/jobs doesn't list these yet, but I just got an e-mail from Zipcar listing two IT jobs.

Zipcar is growing! In addition to adding cars as fast as we can, we're looking to fill a couple of positions described below. Do you know someone who would be the perfect match? If so, please let them know.

Send replies to me, roy@zipcar.com and thanks!

Best regards,
Roy Russell
VP Technology
Zipcar

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System Administrator (full time, salary dependent on qualifications and experience):

Assist a small team of engineers with IT tasks for the company, both locally and in ever-increasing remote locations. Design, develop, implement and maintain automation and infrastructure to help scale the operation. Assist employees with daily computer questions and tasks (and work to reduce these). Maintain and deploy improvements to core systems which are used to run the business.

Background: Experience deploying / working with LDAP, Kerberos, File sharing (SMB, AFP, NFS) protocols in a mixed Windows / Mac / Linux environment. Familiarity with routing protocols (including IPSec). Strong Linux system administration background a plus. Patience a virtue.

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Hardware Technician (part time 15-20 hours/week, flexible hours, salary dependent on qualifications and experience):

Primary responsibilities include final production assembly and test of in-vehicle computer control systems, wiring harnesses, and some installation of systems in vehicles. Also responsible for purchasing components for and managing out-sourced production of in-vehicle control systems. Work with the engineering team on production and test, and help with prototype development of new hardware. May build fixtures for assembly/test as needed.

Must have a good understanding of circuit schematics and general circuit operations, demonstrate mechanical skills, and have good PC skills. Familiarity with PCB design and previous experience with board layout a plus.


Tonight: I dunno, actually. Maybe I'll make a pilgrimage to Trader Joe's, since I so rarely get the chance (and shopping for fun groceries is at least practical!).
Tomorrow: blood drive appointment; dinner with mangosteen.
Friday: goin' to New Hampshire (speaking of Zipcar). :-D
Saturday: canoeing the Saco River!

Comments

[navrins]

"fun groceries." I know both words, but together... And combined with "shopping," no less. I dunno.

[goljerp]

Joy and I almost got a zip car for this weekend, but chickened out at the last minute (that's why I phoned you, just in case you're wondering...) (We really don't use cars at all often, and unless the 1 cheap zip car in my 'hood was available, I couldn't convince Joy we needed to join...)

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

Hey, yeah, I did rather wonder! (Then I was like, "Is there some other [e.g., more local] J--- G--- I'm forgetting about that might be calling me?")

I don't use it terribly often, but I do like having it available in case. (Nowadays, since MIT has started an institutional membership, my annual membership fee is greatly reduced and Zipcar refunded my personal security deposit -- which was nice -- so it's an even better deal than when I joined in the first place.) It's definitely cheaper than trying to own a car just for the 10 times a year that I really need/want to use one.

OTOH, within the City is a different story. As I pointed out to jessruth when she was weighing the merits of Zipcar for herself: NYC already has a very successful on-demand (no-hassle, usage-based) car-sharing system in place. It's called cabs.

[lyriendel.livejournal.com]

I hope you're not actually using Zipcar for the entire weekend... renting a normal car is way cheaper by far. Michael and I rented a Zipcar to go see the Final Fantasy concert down in Hartford, CT. First of all, the battery was drained (it was a Toyota Prius) when we got there, and so the car wouldn't even let us in (electronic locks). We ended up missing the first half of the concert while waiting for a Zipcar guy to come help us (he was off-duty, but fortunately happened to be delivering a new Zipcar from the dealer that he let us use when he also could not open the door). But even with the discount they gave us for making us an hour late, it was still more expensive than if we'd just gone to Enterprise Rent-a-Car right next to Kendall Square, where you can rent a car for $48.50 a day (and be guaranteed that it's drivable the moment you get there). Zipcar is excellent if you're using it for 6 hours or less. Otherwise normal rental cars are cheaper.

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

for $48.50 a day

Which figure I guess includes the LDW insurance, but it doesn't include refilling the gas, which is likely to bring it up to the $64/day that I'm paying to Zipcar for 2 days.

And I've never personally had a problem with instant driveability. Aaaaand this way I get to drive the Mini. :-)