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 Skydio:
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 looking for an engineer with a focus on electric motors and propulsion systems to help model, architect, optimize, and refine the electric propulsion systems that power our drones.
How you'll make an impact:
Strong mathematical and physical understanding on motor power and loss mechanisms
Excellent knowledge on finite element method
Knowledge on motor thermal modeling
Experience on electric motor loss characterization
Knowledge on motor control theory
What makes you a good fit:
Being able to model, architect, and optimize a propulsion system, from ESCs to motors to propellers
Understanding electric motor losses and flux, develop test plans and perform measurements
Detailed motor design and optimization to optimize performance, efficiency and size
Explore and design innovative motor technologies
Create simulation model for thermal model development and system engineering
Integrate and optimize with motor control team and ESCs
Familiarity with construction and manufacturing techniques of outrunner PMSMs in the ~500W size class
End to end understanding of drone propulsion systems, from battery to ESC to motors to propellors
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- $277,500*. 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
- Strong mathematical and physical understanding of motor power and loss mechanisms
- Excellent knowledge of the finite element method
- Knowledge of motor thermal modeling
- Experience with electric motor loss characterization
- Knowledge of motor control theory
- Ability to model, architect, and optimize propulsion systems from ESCs through motors and propellers
- Understanding of electric motor losses and flux, including developing test plans and performing measurements
- Experience with detailed motor design and optimization for performance, efficiency, and size
- Experience exploring and designing innovative motor technologies
- Experience creating simulation models for thermal model development and system engineering
- Experience integrating and optimizing motors with motor-control teams and ESCs
- Familiarity with construction and manufacturing techniques for approximately 500W outrunner PMSMs
- End-to-end understanding of drone propulsion systems, from battery to ESC, motors, and propellers
- FAA Part 107 certification, or willingness to obtain it within the first 60 days; required for certain positions
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.
