Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, and V3 has a maximum range of well over 1,000 miles, a maximum useful load of 100 lbs, and a maximum endurance of nearly 20 hours. Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.
Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets.
Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas.
The Opportunity
Skyways is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer to own major aircraft subsystems from early concept through design, prototype build, ground testing, flight testing, and iteration. This role involves designing hardware, building prototypes, validating performance through testing, and improving systems as aircraft operate in real missions.
Senior Mechanical Engineers work across engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations to ensure hardware performs reliably and can be built efficiently. The role requires strong technical judgment, comfort working directly with hardware, and the ability to move quickly through design, build, and test cycles.
What You'll Do:
Own mechanical subsystems from concept through build, testing, and flight validation
Design structural and mechanical components for autonomous aircraft
Develop prototypes and iterate designs based on ground testing and flight data
Lead subsystem design reviews and drive system level integration across structures, avionics, propulsion, and payload systems
Partner with manufacturing early in the design process to ensure systems are buildable and capable of scaling to production
Help define design standards and engineering practices as the team grows
What You'll Bring:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
Experience designing and building hardware for aircraft, UAS, eVTOL, or other flight vehicles
Strong CAD and mechanical design experience
Ability to design from first principles: sizing structures and mechanisms against loads and flight environments rather than adapting existing designs
Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, testing, and deployment
Comfort working closely with prototype builds and resolving integration issues
Strong collaboration skills across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams
Bonus Points:
Experience working with composite materials or lightweight structures
Experience supporting prototype builds, system integration, or flight testing
Experience working in startup or rapid hardware development environments
In addition to base salary, offers include stock options, so you own part of what you build. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401k, and life insurance.
Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to Austin.
Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!
Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.
Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- Experience designing and building hardware for aircraft, UAS, eVTOL, or other flight vehicles
- Strong CAD and mechanical design experience
- Ability to design structures and mechanisms from first principles against loads and flight environments
- Experience taking hardware from concept through build, integration, testing, and deployment
- Experience working closely with prototype builds and resolving integration issues
- Strong collaboration skills across engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams
- Experience with composite materials or lightweight structures
- Experience supporting prototype builds, system integration, or flight testing
- Experience in startup or rapid hardware development environments
Skyways Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Skyways and has not been reviewed or approved by Skyways.
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Healthcare Strength — Employee medical and dental are employer-paid with additional vision and HSA/FSA options noted; core health coverage appears strong for a hardware/robotics startup.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Stock options are offered to every employee and performance bonuses are listed; ownership upside is broadly accessible across the organization.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is described as generous, with paid holidays and generous parental leave highlighted; the breadth of leave supports work-life needs beyond baseline policies.
Skyways Insights
What We Do
We are creating a new form of transportation to advance the future of our civilization. Our story starts with fully autonomous, unmanned aerial vehicles with vertical take-off and landing capability and used for cargo transportation.
Why Work With Us
We are creating a new form of transportation to advance the future of our civilization. Skyways is building fully autonomous cargo aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capability to transform how goods move. Join a small, ambitious team solving hard aerospace and autonomy problems with real world impact.
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