Senior Autonomy Engineer - Computer Vision at Skydio (San Mateo California, United States)
Skydio· San Mateo California, United States·
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: The core of our system is the computer vision algorithms that allow drones to understand the world around them. You will architect and implement the algorithms that run on every drone powered by Skydio as part of a world class computer vision team with researchers who have pushed the state of the art in academia and industry.
We are looking for people who bring together an understanding of the relevant theory, solid software skills, and an ability to drive through to working solutions.
How you'll make an impact:
- Design and implement real-time estimation, mapping, tracking, classification, and detection algorithms
- Imagine and then implement new features that unlock magic for our users
- Characterize and quantify the performance of the vision system
- Research and prototype new approaches
- Be a generalist helping out on all aspects of the software when needed
What makes you a good fit:
- More important than specific domain experience is an ability to make the math, the algorithms, and the code all line up and work well on real world problems
- Hands-on experience with visual odometry, state estimation, mapping, and SLAM
- Proficiency with probabilistic inference and 3d geometry
- Optimization for computationally constrained environments
- Deep Learning - training data, neural networks, online learning
- Solid software engineering foundation and a commitment to writing clean, well architected code
- High proficiency in C++
- Ability to thrive in a fast paced, collaborative, small team environment
- 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: The annual base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $277,500*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. In addition to base salary, Skydio full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans and take advantage of a variety of incentives and stipends. *Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position's location.
#LI-PG1
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.