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:
The controls algorithms running onboard our autonomous drones define its behavior creating stable/smooth flight and gimbal motion. This enables our pilots to easily execute their objectives from inspection & mapping to missions and security use cases. You will contribute to the development and implementation of the core motion planning software touching everything from the low-level stabilization and control, to high level task-specific frameworks, with a particular focus on the low-level controls.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
Develop, tune, and evaluate low level controllers and trajectory optimization
Work across the software system to define the right data and interfaces for successful control
Work with the UX team to explore and define planning/UI boundaries for new interaction paradigms
What Makes You a Good Fit:
Industry or Research experience writing software that controls real hardware, e.g. grasping manipulation of a robotic arm, self-driving cars, aerial robots, or any kind of mobile robot.
Modern and classical control design methods.
High proficiency in C++.
Dynamic programming.
Non-linear optimization.
Solid software engineering foundation and a commitment to writing clean, well-architected code.
Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions.
Compensation:
At Skydio, our compensation packages for regular, full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options, and comprehensive benefits packages. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $240,000*. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company’s group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to receive the following benefits: Paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay and 401K savings plan. This position and all associated benefits are subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as the Company’s policies and eligibility criteria.
*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.
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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
- Industry or research experience writing software that controls real hardware (robotics, self-driving cars, aerial robots, manipulation)
- Modern and classical control design methods
- High proficiency in C++
- Dynamic programming
- Non-linear optimization
- Solid software engineering foundation and commitment to writing clean, well-architected code
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.
