Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer

Skydio, Inc.; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio, Inc. is seeking a hands-on technical engineer for the manufacturing team in Hayward, CA. You will bridge manufacturing and engineering, owning end-to-end test readiness for a full product line while leveraging Python for automation and MES data to drive improvements.

You will design test hardware and software to meet growing hardware portfolios, collaborate across hardware, software and operations, and contribute to scalable, automated manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Python coding for test automation and tooling.
• Experience defining testing framework/strategy for new products.
• Root cause and failure analysis for test and equipment issues.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of end-to-end manufacturing test readiness for an entire product line.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product development, manufacturing operations, and software teams to roll out robust tests.
• Design and implement new test equipment to enable scalable automation.
• Lead investigations to resolve production issues using MES data and history.
• Maintain software quality with code reviews and hardware-in-loop CI.
• Find ways to eliminate or speed up processes to improve reliability and reduce human dependency.

Skills

Python

Test automation

Data analysis

Manufacturing test

Tools

MES

Job description

Hayward, 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:

We are looking for a hands‑on technical engineer for our manufacturing team to help bridge manufacturing to engineering organizations. You will have a deep understanding of HW and SW design skills and use them daily to collect and analyze manufacturing data, drive action items based on data (yield, retest, test time) and improve efficiency of the line and quality of the final product.

Skydio builds complex flying robots and our goal is to ensure high quality and efficiency at our internal and external manufacturing sites. We have developed a robust software platform that models and tracks the manufacturing process, runs and tracks tests on the line, and ultimately ensures the quality and performance of each and every Skydio product made. Your team will design and build manufacturing test hardware and software to meet the demands of a growing hardware portfolio and customer base.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Take ownership of end‑to‑end manufacturing test readiness for an entire product line, ensuring that Skydio customers receive the highest‑quality devices.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with product development, manufacturing operations, and software teams to collect requirements and iteratively roll out a robust test sequence based on data and feedback.
• Design and implement new test equipment (in-house or with third‑party partners) to ensure scalable and reliable manufacturing via automation.
• Lead investigations to resolve production issues, leveraging Skydio’s in‑house manufacturing execution system (MES) to analyze historical data from the factory and determine a root cause.
• Keep software quality high with code reviews and hardware‑in‑loop continuous integration.
• Look at a process and ask, "How can this be eliminated or made faster, more reliable, scalable, and less human‑dependent?" - and then make that happen.

What makes you a good fit:

• 10+ years engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, with 5+ years focused on NPI test development. You know first hand what it takes to reliably build a product, and you have some war stories to tell of problems you solved.
• Strong hands‑on coding experience in Python (required) for test automation and process tooling.
• Experience defining and setting testing framework/strategy for new products, able to work with cross functional partners to flesh out what is critical to quality, working collaboratively, and not just requesting requirements
• Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed root cause and failure analysis for test and equipment issues. Come to the interview ready to tell us about a tricky problem you investigated and solved.
• Creative problem‑solver with a passion for developing practical solutions.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills across hardware, software, and operations teams.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, growth‑stage environment, balancing immediate execution with long‑term scalability.

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 $196,000 - $257,000*.

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.

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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.

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.

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