Product Design Engineer Intern

Skydio; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 56,481 - 79,900; Full time

Job summary

Skydio, the leading US drone company, is seeking a Product Designer to join the Product Design Team and help craft meaningful projects with world-class engineers and researchers. You will validate designs through hands-on prototyping, testing, and data collection, and collaborate with global suppliers to deliver elegant solutions that delight our users in diverse applications.

From concept through production, you will contribute to design reviews, pursue root-cause analysis, and push for

Qualifications

• Relentless curiosity and strong fundamentals for complex product design.
• Passion for elegant mechanical design at multiple levels of detail.
• Experience with 3D CAD; familiarity with CATIA is valued.

Responsibilities

• Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset.
• Design parts for next generation prototypes.
• Investigate root causes of critical issues in products.
• Coordinate design/manufacturing changes with engineering teams.
• Prototype, test, and collect data to validate solutions.
• Engage with engineers and global suppliers in reviews.

Skills

Relentless curiosity

Solid fundamentals

Mechanical design

3D CAD experience

Tools

CATIA

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

As a member of the Product Design Team, you will work on meaningful projects that add value to Skydio and our users. You will solve complex, interesting problems and learn from a team of world-class engineers and researchers.

On The Job You Will

• Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset
• Design parts for next generation prototypes
• Chase down the root cause of mission critical issues on existing or developing products
• Find solutions with engineering design or manufacturing process changes
• Validate your solutions with hands‑on prototyping, testing, and data collection
• Communicate with a cross‑functional team of engineers and suppliers around the globe
• Present your work in design reviews and learn from senior members of our team

We Are Looking For You To Have

• Relentless curiosity
• Ability to leverage rock solid fundamentals to create exceptional designs for complicated products
• Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail that will delight customers
• Experience with 3D CAD. Familiarity with CATIA is highly valued.

Bonus skills for the job (This experience is great to have, but we are also happy to teach you)

• How to design for a broad array of manufacturing processes including: injection molding, metal casting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, and composites.
• How to complete DFM (design‑for‑manufacturing) with local and foreign suppliers
• How to design and integrate circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies

Some Examples Of Past Projects Include

• Gimbal Isolation: Design, simulate, re‑design, DFM, and kick‑off tooling for Skydio X10 gimbal vibration isolators
• Scrappy Wind Tunnel: Exactly what it sounds like. Research what it takes to make a wind tunnel. Build a wind tunnel. Use the wind tunnel to learn about aerodynamic forces on a drone to inform design improvements.
• Drone Battery Charger: Create prototypes for the battery charger for Skydio 2. Perform user studies, come up with a thermal solution, architect the product, and work on cosmetic surfacing.

Compensation Range: The annual base salary range for this position is $41/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. In addition to base salary, Skydio full‑time employees are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans and take advantage of a variety of incentives and stipends.

• 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/