Engineering Manager - Autonomy

Perot Jain LP; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio in San Mateo, California, is seeking an experienced Engineering Leader to drive the autonomy team's vision and scale operations. You will manage key areas across drone platforms and software architecture while mentoring engineers and ensuring product success.

The ideal candidate brings strong software engineering skills, expertise in robotics, and proven leadership abilities. Compensation includes a competitive salary range of $170,000 – 276,000 and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Hands-on technical leader with strong software engineering experience.
• Deep understanding of robotics, computer vision, and software systems.
• Proven leadership and team building skills.

Responsibilities

• Leverage product insight and software engineering to bring autonomy technology to market.
• Collaborate across product management and engineering teams.
• Hire and mentor elite engineers.

Skills

Software engineering experience

Robotics knowledge

Computer vision expertise

Leadership and management skills

3D geometry fundamentals

Job description

San Mateo, California, United States - Full-time

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

Skydio is built around deep technological investments in autonomy that lead to breakthrough products. We are looking for world‑class engineering leaders to scale up the autonomy team to deliver Skydio’s vision. Our small team has incredible technical strength in solving complex algorithmic challenges, and needs help growing to meet the product opportunities ahead. You will be responsible for one or more areas of ownership across core drone platforms, SW architecture, simulation, SDK, object detection, map infrastructure, situational awareness, computational photography, and state estimation. You will manage the execution of the product plus technology roadmap and be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and driving infrastructure investments that make us successful. We are open to candidates with a broad range of experience from tech leads to senior directors who are passionate about our mission.

How you'll make an impact

• Leverage product insight, robotics and/or computer vision, and high quality software engineering to bring state‑of‑the‑art autonomy technology to market
• Execute on complex cross‑team goals, collaborating across our product management, embedded, mobile, cloud, hardware, and flight test teams with emphasis on excellent communication
• Hire and mentor elite engineers to scale up our team
• Leverage your experience and best practices to uphold and improve Skydio’s engineering standards

Qualifications

• Hands‑on technical leader with strong software engineering experience
• Deep understanding of topics in robotics, computer vision, and software systems
• Proven leadership, management, recruiting, team building, and communication skills
• Solid fundamentals in 3D geometry, mathematics, and linear algebra
• Experience with hardware is a plus but not required
• You love building flying robots and making them do amazing things in the world

Compensation and Benefits

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 – 276,000. 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.

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.