Manufacturing Intern - Summer 2027 at Skydio (Hayward, CA)
Skydio· Hayward, CA·
Role details
Skydio at a glance
Autonomous drones and flight software for public safety, infrastructure inspection, and national security, all designed and assembled in the USA.
Skydio builds autonomous drones (the X10, indoor R10, and defense-grade X10D), docks that let them fly and recharge unattended, and the Skydio Cloud software that plans missions and manages fleets. The whole platform runs on the company's own computer-vision autonomy, so drones avoid obstacles and fly without a trained pilot. It sells to public safety agencies, infrastructure operators, and defense forces.
$340M+ raised · latest: Series F · $110M · 2026 ($4.4B valuation) · backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Nvidia, IVP, Next47
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 interns for the Summer 2027 Season. The Hardware Ops - Quality team is responsible for the manufacturing quality ensuring all of Skydio’s production meets rigorous customer requirements. The quality operations the team supports enables Skydio’s autonomous drones and accessory products.. As a Quality Engineering Intern for our team, you will have the opportunity to help define and develop quality standards and practices for internal teams and/or current & future products in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. How you'll make an impact:
- Root cause and resolve quality yield and customers facing product quality concerns.
- Define, Measure, and Improve our quality metrics and analytics
- Evaluate the performance and reliability of our products and factory quality systems.
- Work closely with other members of the various engineering teams across Skydio.
- Have a strong sense of ownership and autonomy over your work.
What makes you a good fit:
- A junior, senior, or MS-level student - Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering
- Previous Intern Experience with Solid Works, Data Analysis, etc.
- An understanding of quality principles – PFMEA, DFM, DFA, stack up analysis.
- Ability to clearly articulate problem statements, with root cause analysis.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to debug complex issues and propose effective solutions.
- Experience with Databricks, SQL is a plus
- Experience building with AI tools, such as Claude integrations
Compensation Range: The hourly base salary range for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $70/hr for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. *For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.
#LI-ZD1
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 e-verify.gov
Why work at Skydio
- 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.