Embedded Software Engineer Intern - Winter 2027

Skydio, Inc.; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

Skydio, Inc. in San Mateo, California seeks an Embedded Software Engineer Intern for Winter 2027. You will help design and develop firmware for drone and accessory products, bridging algorithms with sensors and hardware in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates are juniors, seniors, or MS students with hands-on device-level embedded software experience. You will work with hardware and software teams to bring up, test, and iterate subsystems.

Qualifications

• Practical experience writing firmware/embedded code for a physical device
• Proficiency with C++ within the context of embedded systems
• Proficiency with Python for testing, experimentation, and tools development
• Ability to read schematics and use standard debugging equipment: oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the embedded software that runs on the drone and accessory product lines
• Characterize, integrate, and validate key subsystems (cameras, radios, flight controllers)
• Bring up and debug new hardware
• Write interfaces and drivers for sensors, cameras, and other devices

Skills

C++ (embedded)

Python

Firmware

Device-level software

Reading schematics

Tools

Oscilloscope

Logic Analyzer

Multimeter

Job description

Embedded Software Engineer Intern - Winter 2027

San Mateo, California, United States- Intern

About the role

We are looking for interns for the Winter 2027 Season. Reliable embedded firmware acts as the brain stem of our autonomous drones and accessory products -- bridging the gap between the algorithms and the sensors/mechanical hardware. As an Embedded Software Engineering Intern, you will have the opportunity to help define and develop functionality for internal teams and/or current & future products in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

An ideal intern candidate is a junior, senior, or MS-level college student with industry experience developing device-level embedded software or firmware.

About the team

Our team is responsible for large portions of the software engineering stack, working on a wide variety of subsystems. We write bare metal and RTOS microcontroller code (generally STM32 product line), integrate and write code for embedded linux and android platforms (Qualcomm and Nvidia SOCs), maintain the associated linux kernels, and help design and bring up all new electronics.

We work closely with both the hardware team and the rest of the software organization, creating the foundation for the rest of the Skydio software team to build upon.

How you'll make an impact

• Develop and implement the embedded software that runs on the drone and our growing accessory product lines e.g. Skydio Dock
• Characterize, integrate, and validate key subsystems (e.g. cameras, radios, flight controllers)
• Bring up and debug new hardware
• Write interfaces and drivers for sensors, cameras, and other devices

What makes you a good fit

• Practical experience writing firmware/embedded code for a physical device
• Proficiency with C++ within the context of embedded systems
• Proficiency with Python for testing, experimentation, and tools development
• Ability to write clean code with appropriate abstraction boundaries
• Ability to read schematics and use standard debugging equipment: oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter
• Bonus points for embedded linux userspace and kernel development
• Bonus points for knowledge of debugging systems at ARM assembly code level

Compensation Range

The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58 for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience.

*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.

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/

Skydio provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Skydio is a federal contractor or subcontractor subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.