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:
The planning algorithms running onboard the vehicle define its behavior, giving our drones their character. You will contribute to the development and implementation of the core motion planning software, touching everything from the low-level stabilization and control, to high level, task specific frameworks.
How you'll make an impact:
Conceive, design, implement, simulate, evaluate, and fly new motion planning strategies
Work across the software system to define the right data and interfaces for successful motion planning
Develop, tune, and evaluate low level controllers
Work with the UX team to explore and define planning/UI boundaries for new interaction paradigms
What makes you a good fit:
Experience writing software that controls real hardware, e.g. grasping / manipulation of a robotic arm, self-driving cars, any kind of mobile robot
Configuration and free space representations
Modern and classical control design methods
Dynamic programming
Non-linear optimization
Solid software engineering foundation and a commitment to writing clean, well architected code
High proficiency in C++
#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/

Skydio’s mission is to make the world more productive, creative, and safe with autonomous flight. AI and computer vision are foundational to our products, allowing drones to fly autonomously and automatically capture and process data. Skydio drones help public safety agencies, federal government and private companies serve their communities more safely and effectively by providing real-time access to information captured with high powered cameras mounted on smart flying robots. Our drones support thousands of organizations, including every branch of the U.S. military, hundreds of public safety agencies across every U.S. state, and numerous major utility providers.
Founded in 2014, Skydio designs, assembles, and supports its products in the U.S., with headquarters in San Mateo, CA, and manufacturing facilities in Hayward, CA. Skydio is the largest drone manufacturer in the U.S. and has built of 40,000 drones.
The company is backed by top investors and strategic partners, including Andreessen Horowitz, Linse Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, and NVIDIA.