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:
As a member of the Product Design Team, you will work on meaningful projects that add value to Skydio and our users. You will solve complex, interesting problems and learn from a team of world-class engineers and researchers.
How you'll make an impact:
Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset
Design parts for next generation prototypes
Chase down the root cause of mission critical issues on existing or developing products
Find solutions with engineering design or manufacturing process changes
Validate your solutions with hands-on prototyping, testing, and data collection
Communicate with a cross functional team of engineers and suppliers around the globe
Present your work in design reviews and learn from senior members of our team
What makes you a good fit:
Relentless curiosity.
Ability to leverage rock solid fundamentals to create exceptional designs for complicated products.
Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail that will delight customers.
Experience with 3D CAD. Familiarity with CATIA is highly valued.
Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions.
Bonus skills for the job (This experience is great to have, but we are also happy to teach you):
How to design for a broad array of manufacturing processes including: injection molding, metal casting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, and composites.
How to complete DFM (design-for-manufacturing) with local and foreign suppliers
How to design and integrate circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies
Some examples of past projects include:
Gimbal Isolation: Design, simulate, re-design, DFM, and kick-off tooling for Skydio X10 gimbal vibration isolators
Scrappy Wind Tunnel: Exactly what it sounds like. Research what it takes to make a wind tunnel. Build a wind tunnel. Use the wind tunnel to learn about aerodynamic forces on a drone to inform design improvements.
Drone Battery Charger: Create prototypes for the battery charger for Skydio 2. Perform user studies, come up with a thermal solution, architect the product, and work on cosmetic surfacing.
Compensation: The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58/hr for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. In addition to base salary, Skydio full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans and take advantage of a variety of incentives and stipends.
*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position's 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
- Ability to apply strong engineering fundamentals to create mechanical designs for complex products
- Experience with 3D CAD
- Familiarity with CATIA
- Experience designing for injection molding, metal casting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, or composites
- Experience completing design for manufacturing with suppliers
- Experience designing and integrating circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies
- Obtain FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
