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Remote role · autonomy

Autonomy Software Engineer

Skydio

Salary147000USD-210000USD
Before you apply

Role details

The practical picture
Employment
Full-time
Role signal brief

The role, at a glance

Extracted from the source posting · 90% confidence

Skydio seeks an Autonomy Engineer to develop and deploy autonomous flight capabilities for enterprise drones used in inspection, public safety, and defense applications. The role involves building robotics algorithms for challenging environmental conditions and collaborating across cross-functional teams to improve system reliability.

Compensation
USD 147,000–210,000 / year

What you need

  • 1+ years of experience writing production level code for autonomous robots, preferably flying robots
  • High proficiency in C++ and Python
  • Practical experience implementing state of the art algorithms in robotics-adjacent areas including computer vision, state estimation, motion planning, controls, sensor characterization and integration, UAS software and hardware development

What you will own

  • Develop core robotics algorithms to expand autonomous operational envelope in challenging environmental conditions, including night time, urban canyons, GNSS-denied environments, maritime operations, and precipitation
  • Build cutting-edge autonomous capabilities through collaboration with vision, planning & controls, deep learning, infrastructure, embedded, cloud, mobile, design, product, and flight test teams
  • Triage customer issues, recognize trends, and rapidly make the system more resilient to field failures
  • Conceive, design, implement, simulate, evaluate, and fly new motion planning strategies to extend capabilities and improve customer experience
  • Research investments in simulated and in-real-life test infrastructure
  • Help maintain the full software stack with highest code quality standards and proactively address technical debt
Core skills
C++PythonComputer visionState estimationMotion planningControlsSensor integrationRoboticsUAS developmentSimulation
Internal freshness window ends Oct 22, 2026
View source evidence
  • salary “The annual base salary range for this position is $147,000 - $210,000”
  • location “Job location: San Mateo, California, United States”
  • responsibilities “Build cutting-edge autonomous capabilities through tight cross functional collaboration with our vision, planning & controls, deep learning, infrastructure, embedded, cloud, mobile, design, product, and flight test teams”
  • responsibilities “Develop core robotics algorithms to expand our autonomous operational envelope in challenging environmental conditions, including night time, in urban canyons, in areas of GNSS and C2 interference, at sea, and in precipitation”
  • must_have “1+ years of experience writing production level code for autonomous robots, preferably flying robots with a high level of proficiency in C++ and Python”
  • must_have “Practical experience implementing state of the art algorithms in a robotics-adjacent area including computer vision, state estimation, motion planning, controls, sensor characterization and integration, UAS software and hardware development”
c++pythoncomputer visionstate estimation
Role brief

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 an Autonomy Engineer, your primary goal will be to make our autonomy system more capable and more reliable for all of our customers. You will own developing new autonomous capabilities end-to-end and deploying these capabilities to customers tackling a wide range of use cases, including inspection & mapping, drone-as-first-responder (DFR), security/patrols, situational awareness, and more. These represent some of the first real-world deployments of truly autonomous robots performing valuable tasks in large and critical industries.

How you'll make an impact:

  • Build cutting-edge autonomous capabilities through tight cross functional collaboration with our vision, planning & controls, deep learning, infrastructure, embedded, cloud, mobile, design, product, and flight test teams

  • Develop core robotics algorithms to expand our autonomous operational envelope in challenging environmental conditions, including night time, in urban canyons, in areas of GNSS and C2 interference, at sea, and in precipitation

  • Triage customer issues, recognize trends, and rapidly make our system more resilient to failures seen in the field

  • Research investments in simulated and in-real-life test infrastructure

  • Develop a deep understanding of core robotics principles coupled with a full understanding of how our system works

  • Help out across the full software stack when needed, maintaining the highest standards for code quality and proactively addressing tech debt

  • Conceive, design, implement, simulate, evaluate, and fly new motion planning strategies to extend capabilities and improve customer experience

What makes you a good fit:

  • 1+ years of experience writing production level code for autonomous robots, preferably flying robots with a high level of proficiency in C++ and Python

  • Practical experience implementing state of the art algorithms in a robotics-adjacent area including computer vision, state estimation, motion planning, controls, sensor characterization and integration, UAS software and hardware development

  • Highly curious, creative, and able to communicate concepts to non-technical audiences

  • Strong software engineering fundamentals and a commitment to writing clean, well-designed, maintainable, readable code

  • Excited to use robotics to make the world safer, more productive, and more creative

  • 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 $147,000 - $210,000*. 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.

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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/