PhD Autonomy Engineer Intern — Drone AI & Vision

Skydio; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation time

Sick leave

Holiday pay

401K savings plan

Job summary

Skydio is seeking a PhD Research Intern to join our world-class computer vision team in San Mateo, CA. You will architect and implement autonomy-focused algorithms that power drones, collaborating closely with researchers who push the state of the art.

You will own a project end-to-end, pairing with core software developers to advance next-generation autonomy. The role emphasizes math, theory, and practical software development and offers exposure to real-world product integration.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in math, theory, and software development
• Interest in directly contributing to autonomy algorithms in products
• Enthusiasm for computer vision, deep learning, motion planning, and related fields
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, small team environment

Responsibilities

• Enable rapid research and development of intelligent systems with autonomous capabilities
• Research, prototype, and assess feasibility of new approaches
• Imagine and implement new features that unlock user advantages
• Characterize and quantify performance of core software/hardware components

Skills

C++

Python

Computer vision

Deep learning

Motion planning

Dynamics and controls

3D graphics

Embedded software

Distributed systems

Tools/infrastructure

Mobile

Education

Pursuing PhD

Tools

Python tooling

Job description

Skydio is seeking a PhD Research Intern to join our world-class computer vision team in San Mateo, CA. You will architect and implement autonomy-focused algorithms that power drones, collaborating closely with researchers who push the state of the art.

You will own a project end-to-end, pairing with core software developers to advance next-generation autonomy. The role emphasizes math, theory, and practical software development and offers exposure to real-world product integration.