Field Drone Data Collector for Flight Tests

Skydio; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation time

Sick leave

Statutory holiday pay

401K savings plan

Group health insurance

Job summary

Skydio is seeking a Data Collection Flight Test Operator for its field data collection and flight testing team in San Mateo, CA. This is a fixed-term, full-time role with ~90% travel across the United States.

You will fly Skydio aircraft in diverse environments, executing structured flight plans and collecting multi-sensor data to train and validate autonomy systems. Required FAA Part 107 certification, at least 100 hours of real-world UAS operation, and strong safety/documentation discipline.

Qualifications

• FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate required.
• 100+ hours / 1+ year operating small unmanned aircraft in real-world environments.
• Strong situational awareness and commitment to safe flight practices.
• Ability to follow structured test procedures precisely in changing field conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and field documentation discipline.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate Skydio aircraft across diverse environments to collect data for product development and validation.
• Execute structured flight test plans, including scripted and exploratory flights.
• Collect, label, and manage large volumes of sensor, imagery, and telemetry data with proper data handling and chain-of-custody.
• Maintain flight logs and documentation in line with FAA regulations and Skydio safety procedures.
• Report anomalies, near-misses, and incidents with detailed environmental and operational context.
• Collaborate with engineering and autonomy teams to align on data needs and test objectives.
• Maintain and troubleshoot aircraft, attachments, and ground equipment; keep kit ready for campaigns.

Skills

FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate

100+ hours / 1+ year UAS operation

situational awareness

follow structured test procedures

clear written/verbal communication

valid U.S. driver's license

Job description

Skydio is seeking a Data Collection Flight Test Operator for its field data collection and flight testing team in San Mateo, CA. This is a fixed-term, full-time role with ~90% travel across the United States.

You will fly Skydio aircraft in diverse environments, executing structured flight plans and collecting multi-sensor data to train and validate autonomy systems. Required FAA Part 107 certification, at least 100 hours of real-world UAS operation, and strong safety/documentation discipline.