---
title: 'Flight Test Engineer - Camera Quality at Skydio'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/flight-test-engineer-camera-quality-skydio-san-mateo-hwtfyv2j5cz0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-29'
---

# Flight Test Engineer - Camera Quality at Skydio

- **Company:** [Skydio](https://feeny.ai/companies/skydio)
- **Location:** San Mateo, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-10-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-29
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/skydio/8b79b158-2805-4a5f-b2de-e054850b1f62

## 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](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/energy-and-utilities) to [first responders](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/public-safety), [soldiers in battlefield scenarios](https://www.skydio.com/solutions/national-security/tactical-isr), and [beyond](https://www.skydio.com/solutions). About the team: Our team focuses on ensuring the highest quality of camera systems, working at the intersection of hardware and software testing. We collaborate closely with hardware engineers, camera tuning experts, and flight test engineers to optimize the performance of drone imaging systems. We employ data-driven testing approaches, using massive amounts of flight data to assess image quality and overall system stability. Our tools include Imatest for data analysis, custom-built logging systems, and proprietary tools for testing image quality in various lighting conditions. About the role: Skydio is seeking an enthusiastic Flight Test Engineer with a strong understanding of cameras and image quality to ensure that the units we are shipping to customers are of the highest standard. This role requires a rigorous approach to testing complex systems, particularly the camera components, across a wide spectrum of environmental and operating conditions, ensuring the overall system performs optimally. As a Flight Test Engineer focused on Camera and Image Quality, you will be critical in ensuring that Skydio’s drones deliver unparalleled imaging performance across a wide range of environmental conditions. Your expertise in camera systems will be essential as you run field tests, identify and troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with various teams to optimize product performance. You will have the opportunity to work hands-on with cutting-edge drone technology and influence the quality of Skydio’s cameras. Location: This is an office-based position that requires 5 days/week onsite at Skydio HQ in San Mateo, CA. How you’ll make an impact:

- Perform regression tests to ensure that camera systems maintain optimal performance after software or hardware updates
- Execute master testing of camera functionalities to validate new software that affects image capture and processing
- Collaborate with the hardware team to refine and optimize camera systems for customer use
- Identify and troubleshoot camera-specific issues, such as image quality degradation, exposure control, and focus inconsistencies
- Gather and analyze flight data to provide actionable insights that improve camera system performance and stability
- Work with product teams and flight test engineers to ensure that Skydio’s camera systems are best-in-class

What makes you a good fit:

- Strong understanding of camera systems and image quality fundamentals, with experience in exposure, color accuracy, and focus control
- Background in software QA/testing, especially related to imaging systems
- Familiarity with mobile app testing (iOS/Android) and how they interface with camera systems
- Excellent communication skills with a focus on documenting camera performance and test results
- Hands-on experience with cameras in a testing or production environment, with a desire to spend significant time outdoors running tests
- FAA Part 107 license certification is required for this role

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 $135,000 - 180,000*. 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.

## #LI-AS1

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/

## About Skydio

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Skydio builds autonomous drones and platforms for public safety, critical infrastructure inspection, and national security, enabling safer, smarter, and faster data collection.
- **Entity Type**: Private – Series E ($230M raised)
- **Headquarters**: San Mateo, California, United States (manufacturing hub in Hayward, CA; satellite offices in Boston, Japan, and India)
- **Founded**: 2014
- **Founders**: Adam Bry (CEO) and Abe Bachrach (CTO) – both MIT graduates and co-founders of Google’s Project Wing

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Drone manufacturing, autonomous flight software, public safety / first responder technology, infrastructure inspection, defense / national security
- **Target customers**: B2G (government/public safety), B2B (energy, utilities, construction, surveying), and defense organizations
- **Mission statement**: “To make the world more productive, creative, and safe with autonomous flight”

## Products & Services
- **[Skydio X10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Flagship autonomous drone with best-in-class sensors, advanced AI, and cloud integration – designed for outdoor inspection, DFR, and site security.
- **[Skydio R10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Indoor-capable, compact drone for tight quarters (e.g., building interiors) with onboard lighting and communications.
- **[Skydio Dock for X10](https://www.skydio.com/)**: Remote docking station enabling autonomous launch, landing, and charging – supports unattended mission execution.
- **[Skydio Cloud & Software Platform](https://www.skydio.com/)**: End-to-end software for mission planning, live streaming, data processing, and fleet management (includes Drone as First Responder solutions, asset inspection, and mapping).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Funding**: $230 million raised in a Series E round (led by Linse Capital, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Next47, IVP, DoCoMo, Nvidia, UP.Partners; angel investors include Brendan Iribe, Naval Ravikant, Padma Warrior, Matt Bellamy, Magic Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant). Valuation not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metric**: Over 60,000 drones delivered; “9 figures of annual revenue” (i.e., $100M+) with rapid growth [skydio.com/careers](https://www.skydio.com/careers).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, IVP, DoCoMo, UP.Partners.
- **Growth Signals**: Company reports rapid revenue growth; expanding into national security contracts; manufacturing hub in Hayward; global presence with offices in Tokyo, Singapore, Zurich.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Purely U.S. based** – designed, assembled, and supported in the USA, meeting strict national security and supply chain standards.
- **Deep AI autonomy** – world-leading computer vision and autonomous flight technology, built by a team that pioneered the field at MIT and Google X.
- **Full-stack platform** – drones, docks, cloud software, and mission-specific integrations create a locked-in ecosystem that’s hard to replicate.
- **Mission-critical trust** – deployed by police departments, defense agencies, and utilities for life-saving and infrastructure-protecting missions.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling drone-as-a-first-responder (DFR)** programs across public safety agencies.
- **Expanding defense & national security** verticals (survivable sUAS, battlefield situational awareness).
- **Deepening enterprise inspection & mapping** offerings for energy, telecom, and civil infrastructure.
- **International growth** – offices in Japan, India, Singapore, Switzerland, and Finland.

## Why Work Here
- **Purpose-driven impact** – work on tech that “makes our world safer and more efficient” (autonomous drones for first responders, search & rescue, battlefield awareness).
- **Cutting-edge engineering** – stack spans AI/robotics, computer vision, cloud, mobile, aerodynamics, sensors, and hardware; described as “the Mount Everest of technology.”
- **Collaborative culture** – “intense but rewarding”; teams include world-class engineers, special forces operators, and industry experts.
- **Hybrid/office** – headquarters in San Mateo (Bay Area) with manufacturing in Hayward; satellite offices in Boston, Japan, and India. Many engineering roles are on-site or hybrid, but some positions list remote (US) availability.
- **Notable perks** – no explicit perks listed, but culture emphasizes real-world impact, cross-functional work, and autonomy to solve hard problems.

## Sources
1. [skydio.com](https://www.skydio.com/) – Main site (products, mission, drone capabilities)
2. [skydio.com/about](https://www.skydio.com/about) – Founders, leadership, and company history
3. [skydio.com/careers](https://www.skydio.com/careers) – Company stats (60k drones, 9-figure revenue, mission, culture, office locations)
4. [linkedin.com/company/skydio](https://www.linkedin.com/company/skydio) – Company description
5. [cbinsights.com/company/skydio/financials](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/skydio/financials) – Funding round details (Series E, $230M)

## Other roles at Skydio

- [Sales Director, Utilities](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-director-utilities-skydio-united-states-axtanv7wc22f) — United States
- [Key Account Leader, Majors, Public Safety (Northwest)](https://feeny.ai/job/key-account-leader-majors-public-safety-northwest-skydio-united-states-x2vekzw5qqn5) — United States
- [Hardware Operations Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/hardware-operations-program-manager-skydio-hayward-axgg840ceyy6) — Hayward, CA
- [Staff Software Engineer - Streaming Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-software-engineer-streaming-infrastructure-skydio-san-mateo-saehmka3map5) — San Mateo, CA
- [Senior Software Engineer -  Streaming Infrastructure](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-streaming-infrastructure-skydio-san-mateo-6xjdq2xfrek7) — San Mateo, CA
- [Manufacturing Intern - Summer 2027](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-intern-summer-2027-skydio-hayward-xrkznbyy9nb6) — Hayward, CA
- [Autonomy Engineer Intern, Autonomy Infrastructure, Systems and Tools, 2027 (Zurich)](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-intern-autonomy-infrastructure-systems-and-tools-2027-zurich-b83jebf38k6c) — Zurich, Switzerland
- [Autonomy Engineer Intern, Simulation & Robotics, 2027 (HQ)](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-intern-simulation-robotics-2027-hq-skydio-san-mateo-09bdz17bv5gf) — San Mateo, CA
- [Autonomy Engineer Intern, Simulation & Robotics, 2027 (Zurich)](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-intern-simulation-robotics-2027-zurich-skydio-zurich-e4gq6cw86q90) — Zurich, Switzerland
- [Autonomy Engineer Intern, Reinforcement Learning, 2027 (Zurich)](https://feeny.ai/job/autonomy-engineer-intern-reinforcement-learning-2027-zurich-skydio-zurich-tznhnz43ag49) — Zurich, Switzerland