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 team:
We develop autonomous flying robots for professional media capture, commercial inspection, and situational awareness from customer use case analysis to requirements definition, product development, factory bringup, and validation through mass production
We work directly with subsystem technology vendors and cross functionally internally with hardware, embedded, and autonomy teams to develop vehicle, controller, and docking architectures including subsystem architectures such as imagine, ranging, compute, motor control, communication, sensing, and payloads.
We build and maintain our in-house tools for system & subsystem level characterization, development, validation, and manufacturing
We use Linux, Mac, and Windows based tools for hardware & software development, system & subsystem integration, as well as testing
About the role: We are looking for a System Design Engineer Intern to drive current and future system & subsystem architectures that meet Skydio’s product vision, including subsystem development and system integration. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with experience in one of Skydio’s core focus areas who is passionate about developing new technology for autonomous flying robots.
How you'll make an impact:
Collaborate with embedded, hardware, wireless, software, and autonomy teams to derive specifications and develop subsystem architectures consisting of mechanical assemblies, electronics, and embedded software
Develop methods to simulate, quantify, analyze, and present proposals and designs for platforms & subsystems as well as collaborate on prototyping efforts
Drive architecture specifications down to component level selection and development
What makes you a good fit:
Good software development skills with an ambition to write clean and efficient code in Python and C/C++
Some experience in embedded systems development
Excellent written skills for clear reporting of data analysis and conclusions
Experience working on systems that integrate some combination of imaging, ranging, advanced compute, motor control, communication, sensing, or payloads
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: The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $70/hr for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Interns 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
- Software development skills in Python and C/C++
- Experience in embedded systems development
- Strong written communication skills for reporting data analysis and conclusions
- Experience with systems integrating imaging, ranging, advanced compute, motor control, communications, sensing, or payloads
- FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment 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.
