Senior RF Design Engineer

Skydio Inc.; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Skydio Inc. in San Mateo, California, is seeking a Wireless Systems Engineer to drive innovation in autonomous systems through advanced wireless technologies. You will lead cellular hardware integration efforts and collaborate with engineering teams to enhance system performance.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in cellular hardware development and a deep understanding of RF systems. This full-time position offers competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience developing wireless products.
• Strong experience with LTE modem integration.
• Experience debugging wireless system performance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to optimize wireless system performance.
• Define system-level architecture and performance targets.
• Lead cellular hardware integration from architecture to production.

Skills

Cellular hardware development

RF system integration

LTE/cellular integration

Debugging RF performance

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Ansys HFSS

Keysight ADS

Network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

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’s RF systems connect users to our autonomous ecosystem and are the foundation to the performance, reliability, and scalability of our products. As intelligent flying machines become increasingly autonomous, the demands on wireless connectivity, range, bandwidth, coexistence, and robustness continue to grow. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation across existing and next‑generation RF architectures while delivering highly engineered products at scale.

We are looking for a highly experienced Wireless Systems Engineer with deep expertise in cellular hardware development and RF system integration. The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience bringing complex wireless products from architecture through production, including extensive experience with LTE/cellular integration, carrier certification, and PTCRB certification validation.

Skydio’s highly integrated electromechanical systems present rich cross‑functional engineering challenges and provide an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of autonomous systems.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Collaborate closely with EE, RF, antenna, mechanical, ID, and systems teams to optimize end‑to‑end wireless system performance.
• Define system‑level wireless architecture, requirements, specifications, and performance targets.
• Design, integrate, and validate wireless solutions across multiple radio technologies and frequency bands, including LTE/5G cellular systems.
• Lead cellular hardware integration efforts from early architecture through bring‑up, debugging, optimization, certification, and production ramp.
• Drive RF coexistence and desense analysis across tightly integrated wireless subsystems.
• Perform detailed circuit‑level analysis to debug RF performance, interference, and desense issues, and characterize aggressor/victim relationships.
• Identify and mitigate noise sources impacting wireless performance at both board and system levels.
• Support end‑to‑end product development from concept, prototyping, and validation through qualification, carrier certification, PTCRB, regulatory approval, and manufacturing test.
• Develop and execute wireless performance characterization plans, including TRP/TIS, OTA, throughput, range, and coexistence testing.
• Partner with external module vendors, certification labs, and carriers to ensure successful cellular integration and compliance.

What Makes You a Good Fit

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of hands‑on experience developing wireless consumer or embedded products with complex RF systems.
• Strong cellular hardware development experience is required, including LTE modem integration, RF front‑end architecture, carrier requirements, and system bring‑up/debug.
• Extensive experience supporting products through PTCRB and carrier certification processes is strongly preferred.
• Deep technical understanding of one or more wireless technologies including LTE/cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS/GNSS, and related coexistence challenges.
• Strong understanding of RF desense mechanisms, EMI/EMC mitigation, radiated/conducted coupling, and system‑level integration challenges.
• Experience with analog, digital, and mixed‑signal circuit design and analysis.
• Experience with PCB schematic review, layout guidance, RF routing, grounding, shielding, and power integrity best practices.
• Proven experience debugging and optimizing wireless system performance in highly integrated products.
• Hands‑on experience with RF lab equipment including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, CMW500, signal generators, power meters, near‑field probes, and OTA test systems.
• Experience using RF simulation and modeling tools such as Ansys HFSS and Keysight ADS.
• Experience performing and analyzing TRP, TIS, OTA, throughput, and Rate vs. Range measurements.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing test, production calibration, and wireless validation workflows.
• Ability to independently drive complex technical problems across cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced development environment.
• 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 $170,000 – 240,000. 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/