Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios, and beyond.
About the role:
We are seeking interns or Co-ops for our Hardware Test & Reliability Team!
Autonomous systems are a new breed of product that bring together electronics hardware and real-time AI software. The complexity of the systems combined with the fact they can move freely in the real world, makes the development and reliability testing strategy a key element of delivering a great product.
We are seeking a driven and cross-functional engineering intern to help the development and execution of test plans and testing infrastructure to enable rapid design iteration and robust product validation for state-of-the-art autonomous flying machines servicing a broad range of consumer and commercial use cases.
How you’ll make an impact:
Own the design and implementation of hardware and software systems to execute comprehensive performance and reliability validation for products performing in a wide array of use cases
Analyze data, calculate statistics, and carefully document results to explain trends and inform impactful design improvements
Perform failure analysis to identify root cause and help develop process/design mitigations to resolve system issues, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams
Participate in design reviews and provide key design for reliability inputs to mitigate risks at every stage of the product development lifecycle
What makes you a good fit:
A sense of how to test, how not to test, and how to find vulnerabilities in processes and design
A systematic approach to problem solving, and a knack for rapidly identifying issues within electro-mechanical systems; strong desire to drive failure analyses to true root cause
Enthusiastic tendencies toward diving in and applying first principles to engineer creative solutions to complex problems
Experience with Python or other programming languages for test automation, data analysis and visualization
Strong desire to learn and contribute across multiple domains within a dynamic and growing organization
Excellent project management, written & verbal communication and cross-functional teamwork skills
Familiarity with testing equipment and basic knowledge of stress, environmental, and accelerated life testing methods to assess product durability and reliability.
Compensation Range: The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58 for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience.
*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.
#LI-ZD1
At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.
For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/
Skills Required
- Availability to start Fall 2026 (September/October) as an intern or co-op
- Experience with Python or other programming languages for test automation, data analysis, and visualization
- Familiarity with testing equipment and basic knowledge of stress, environmental, and accelerated life testing methods
- Ability to design and implement hardware and software systems for reliability validation
- Experience performing failure analysis and driving root-cause investigations
- Systematic problem-solving approach and ability to identify issues in electro-mechanical systems
- Strong project management, written and verbal communication, and cross-functional teamwork skills
- Strong desire to learn and contribute across multiple engineering domains
Skydio Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Skydio and has not been reviewed or approved by Skydio.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is consistently highlighted in job postings and company profiles for full-time roles, and engineering compensation information indicates it is a meaningful part of total pay. This emphasis positions ownership as a core element of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is portrayed as generous, spanning PTO, paid holidays, sick time, and parental/family leave, with some mentions of company shutdowns. The breadth of options makes time away from work a notable strength of the package.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and mental-health benefits, often alongside FSAs/HSAs and protections such as life and disability insurance. These elements are presented as part of a comprehensive baseline for employees.
Skydio Insights
What We Do
Skydio is the leading US drone company and world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial transportation. Our mission is to make the world more productive, creative, and safe with autonomous flight.
Why Work With Us
The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, and operational excellence to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users - from action sports enthusiasts to first responders to insurance claims adjusters.
