Solutions Engineer - Federal

Skydio, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio, Inc. is seeking a driven Solutions Engineer to lead technical discovery and federal implementations, acting as the bridge between product and sales to translate customer requirements into executable plans.

You will conduct POCs, demonstrations, and system validations for federal customers, with up to 50% travel and the ability to obtain a Secret or Top-Secret clearance. The role reports to the Solutions Engineering Manager and involves collaboration with Product, Engineering, and Sales

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience and a Technical Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Experience with federal contracting validation exercises and acquisition processes.
• Strong written communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and implementation with federal customers and demonstrate Skydio product lines.
• Prepare and deliver system demonstrations and field trials, setting up equipment as needed.
• Validate deployments and guide Sales, Customer Success, and Product teams.
• Act as SME for federal customers and contribute to RFIs/RFPs.

Skills

UAV systems

Federal contracting

Technical leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Technical Bachelor's degree

Tools

RF systems

Datalinks

Mesh networks

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:

We are looking for a driven, results-oriented Solutions Engineer to lead technical discovery and implementation with our federal customers. You will be responsible for understanding customer requirements through technical discovery and demonstrating the features of the Skydio product lines to win deals. A successful candidate for this role will act as glue between our product and sales teams, understand the customer’s requirements and Skydio’s specifications, and build achievable plans to implement Skydio technology to specification. You should be highly familiar with the bringing up of technical products for Federal customers as well as be well-versed in the programmatic elements of federal contracts. This role reports to the Solutions Engineering Manager and will work closely with our Product, Engineering, and Sales functions to deliver industry-leading autonomous solutions on schedule.

How you'll make an impact:

• Drive Skydio’s understanding of customer requirements, identify customer key metrics of success, and conduct Proof-of-Concepts (POCs) and relevant field trials
• Prepare and conduct all aspects of system demonstrations, including independently setting up developmental equipment, operating/troubleshooting the system, and presenting its values to customers and partners
• Lead all aspects of system validation and customer implementations to ensure successful deployment
• Provide subject matter expertise in federal contracting validation exercises and guide Sales, Customer Success, and Product teams
• Support business development through technical writing for RFIs and RFPs
• Support product roadmap definition and requirements by acting as an SME and “voice of the customer” for Federal customers
• General support of go-to-market & business activities as required

What makes you a good fit:

Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, with some expectation of International travel
• FAA Part 107 Certification or the ability to obtain
• Active Secret or Top-Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain

Experience & Skills:

• Technical knowledge or experience with DOW and Federal UAV systems, sensors, and analysis systems
• Technical knowledge or experience with secure, government-compliant storage, manipulation and analysis of data
• Excellent written communication and presentation skills to audiences of all levels
• Experience implementing new technology for internal/external customers and interfacing with technical teams to deliver projects on schedule
• Bring a strong background in one technical area (UAV systems, radio systems, software, security, prototyping, electronics rework, Networking)
• Demonstrated experience with a federal acquisition process for technology
• 5+ years experience and Technical Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of education and technical sales experience.

This role will be driving the development of products for our military customers, and is subject to a government contract that requires Skydio to limit this position to candidates with US Citizenship. We welcome every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States to apply. However, at this time, Skydio does not currently offer employment-based visa or permanent residency sponsorship for this role.

Nice to haves:

• Prior military or federal UAS operator, maintainer, or instructor experience.
• Experience operating in contested or degraded environments (EW, GPS-denied, comms-limited).
• Mission planning, CONOPS, and TTP development for unmanned systems.
• Hands-on experience with RF systems, datalinks, and mesh networking radios.
• Familiarity with counter-UAS and airspace deconfliction.
• Understanding of sensor payloads and tactical data-sharing tools such as TAK.
• Background in test and evaluation, acquisition, or fielding new systems.
• Ability to bridge operators and engineers, from briefing senior leaders to training end users in the field.
• Experience leading small teams through demos, field trials, or deployments.
• Operational or customer-facing experience in one or more of the following: defense, special operations, homeland security, maritime, diplomatic or international, or installation and physical security environments.

Professional working proficiency in a foreign language, especially Spanish.

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 salary range for this position is $150,000 - $230,000*. 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/

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION (Completion is voluntary and will not subject you to adverse treatment)

Skydio provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Skydio is a federal contractor or subcontractor subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. Employment decisions are made on the basis of job-related criteria without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race, ethnicity, and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. Information obtained will be retained in a confidential file and separate from personnel records. This information may only be used in accordance with the provision of applicable federal laws, executive orders, and regulations. If you want more information about any of the sections, please check with a company representative.

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