Software Engineer - Simulation & Robotics

Front Door Defense; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Skydio in San Mateo is seeking a Software Engineer to build the Skydio Simulator—real-time, high-fidelity digital worlds used by customers and autonomy engineers.

You will develop core simulator components in C++ and Python, collaborate with autonomy, perception, and controls teams, and push performance and realism while shaping the long-term technical direction.

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering experience with C++ and Python.
• Experience building complex, performance-critical systems.
• Familiarity with time-synchronization or real-time execution.
• Ability to work in a large evolving codebase with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and evolve the core Skydio Simulator architecture.
• Improve physics and dynamics models for vehicle motion.
• Build high-fidelity sensor simulations (cameras, IMUs).
• Integrate the autonomy stack and validate simulation against real-world behavior.
• Collaborate with autonomy, perception, and controls engineers.
• Push for performance, reliability, and realism in simulation.

Skills

C++

Python

Real-time systems

Robotics interest

Job description

Software Engineer - Simulation & Robotics

Develop core simulator components to enable accurate, real-time autonomous drone simulation.

Location: San Mateo, California

Compensation: $170,000 - 240,000 USD / year

About The Role

Software Engineer Opportunity At Skydio

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

We are looking for a software engineer to build and evolve the core of the Skydio Simulator—a high-fidelity, real-time digital replica of the physical world used both by customers and by Skydio's autonomy engineers every day.

In this role, you will work deep in the simulator stack: from physics and sensor simulation, to hardware emulation, to the core architecture that runs our full autonomy software in simulation. You will help define how simulated worlds behave, how vehicles perceive and interact with them, and how closely simulation mirrors reality.

This is a systems-heavy role focused on correctness, performance, and realism. Prior robotics experience is not required, but curiosity about physical systems and an interest in autonomous robots is essential.

Areas Of Responsibility

• Core Simulator Architecture: Design, implement, and evolve the foundational architecture of the Skydio Simulator, ensuring it scales across vehicle types, environments, and use cases.
• Physics and Dynamics: Improve and extend physics models governing vehicle motion, interactions with the environment, and dynamic agents.
• Sensor and Hardware Simulation: Build high-fidelity simulations of cameras, IMUs, and other onboard components, including timing, noise characteristics, and hardware behavior.
• Autonomy Stack Integration: Run and validate the full Skydio autonomy stack in simulation, ensuring consistency between simulated and real-world behavior.
• Feature Development On Top Of The Core: Implement simulator capabilities that unlock new workflows for customers and internal autonomy engineers, from training scenarios to advanced testing modes.
• Performance And Fidelity: Profile, optimize, and improve simulator performance while continuously pushing realism and accuracy.

What You'll Do

• Develop core simulator components in C++ and Python, working close to real-time constraints.
• Collaborate with autonomy, perception, and controls engineers to align simulation behavior with real-world systems.
• Debug complex interactions between physics, sensors, autonomy logic, and rendering.
• Help shape the long-term technical direction of the simulator as both a product and an internal platform.
• Contribute to documentation and shared understanding of how the simulator works internally.

Qualifications

• Strong software engineering experience with C++ and Python.
• Experience building complex systems where performance, determinism, or correctness matter.
• Comfort reasoning about time-synchronized systems, state machines, or real-time execution.
• Ability to work in a large, evolving codebase with multiple stakeholders.
• Interest in robotics, simulation, or physical systems (prior robotics experience is a plus, not a requirement).

Bonus Experience

• Robotics, simulation, game engines, or real-time systems.
• Physics engines, sensor modeling, or hardware abstraction layers.
• Multithreaded or low-latency system design.
• Experience debugging systems that span software and physical behavior.

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.

*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.

#LI-SM1

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/