Product Design Engineer

Perot Jain; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Skydio is seeking a skilled mechanical engineer to architect and refine structures for autonomous flight. You will design parts and assemblies for aircraft and accessories, work with electrical teams on PCBAs and harnesses, and coordinate with vendors to ensure robust integrations.

Applicants should have 3–8 years of product development experience, a mechanical engineering degree, and strong CAD skills (CATIA preferred). A focus on fast prototyping and scalable production is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• 3-8 years of product development experience with proven execution.
• Ability to design for multiple manufacturing processes (injection molding, metal casting, CNC).
• Proficient in 3D CAD tools; CATIA strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical problem solving and detail orientation.

Responsibilities

• Design mechanical parts and assemblies for aircraft and accessories from ground up.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on PCBAs, flex circuits, and harnesses.
• Interface with vendors and manage external partnerships with operations and sourcing.
• Define tests and evaluate trade-offs using engineering analysis.
• Drive designs from prototyping through mass production and support manufacturing.
• Debug failures and identify root causes with attention to detail.

Skills

Analytical problem solving

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Tools

CATIA

3D CAD

Job description

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's mechanical systems are the backbone of reliable autonomous flight. An intelligent flying machine depends on world-class engineering and an eye for detail while optimizing for simplicity; you will help architect, develop, and refine the structures, mechanisms and solutions that bring autonomous flight to a broad audience in a highly collaborative environment.

How you'll make an impact:

• Design mechanical parts and assemblies for our aircraft, ground stations, and other key accessories from the ground-up as part of new architectures.

• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers to shape and integrate custom PCBAs, flex circuits, antennas, and cable harnesses.

• Interface with and own technical activity at vendors in partnership with operations and supply chain teams.

• Define and execute engineering tests and utilize analysis to evaluate system trade-offs and prove your design.

• Drive designs throughout the development cycle from prototyping to pre-production and into mass production. Support our internal manufacturing and factory teams with assembly processes, quality and inspection criteria, etc.

• Debug and investigate failures with an eye for the smallest details and a commitment to reach the deepest causes.

What makes you a good fit:

• 3-8 years of prior experience of product development with a proven track record of execution, enthusiasm, and cooperation. This role could be a senior-level depending on experience.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent with demonstrated academic excellence.

• Ability to apply analytical problem solving skills and engineering fundamentals to create high-quality designs for a sophisticated electromechanical system.

• Mastery of 3D CAD, specifically as used in developing complex assemblies along with an acute sense of when to hack and when to build elegant parametrics. Experience with CATIA strongly preferred.

• Ability to design for a broad array of manufacturing processes (injection molding, metal casting, and CNC machining required, sheet metal forming and composites desired).

• Excellent sense of how best to prototype quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to produce well-constructed, thorough mechanical part and assembly drawings.

• Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail.

• A strategic mind across the full design, source, build, validate, and ship process. Proven ability to make considered decisions at various stages.

• 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:

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 $175,000 - $205,000*. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all regular, full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company's success. Regular, full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Company's group health insurance plans. Regular, full-time employees 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.

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/