---
title: 'Senior Flight Test Engineer - Software Automation at Skydio'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-test-engineer-software-automation-skydio-san-mateo-gry1vvdjs9dc'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Senior Flight Test Engineer - Software Automation at Skydio

- **Company:** [Skydio](https://feeny.ai/companies/skydio)
- **Location:** San Mateo, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-10-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/skydio/00aac907-35da-4899-a62e-ddf3d455107f

## 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 role: Autonomous drones are complex systems operating in uncontrolled environments. Onboard autonomy and hardware have to work together on every flight, along with the mobile and browser interfaces that control them. Testing these systems is one of the most critical parts of delivering a reliable product. We are looking for an experienced Software Automation Engineer to lead the Flight Test Automation Pod and scale how we validate autonomous flight. You will design and own automated test systems that run from CI through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop and real-world flight. You’ll bring AI-supported workflows into how tests are written, run and analyzed, and define how we measure test coverage, so every release ships with confidence. This position is part of the Product Integrity organization, which owns product quality from NPI through end of life across hardware and software. Your work will directly shape how quickly and reliably Skydio ships new capabilities to customers. How you'll make an impact:

- Lead the Flight Test Automation Pod: set technical direction, own the roadmap, and mentor engineers who contribute to automation
- Own automated test workflows across mobile, browser, and integrated hardware/software systems, from simulation to real-world flight
- Establish and own CI test pipelines that validate every build automatically and give developers fast, actionable feedback
- Design an extensible test framework that scales across teams, making it easy for engineers to add and maintain their own tests
- Apply AI-assisted and agentic workflows to test generation, failure triage and flight log analysis to speed up issue detection
- Define test coverage metrics tied to requirements and risk, and use them to drive our test strategy, reduce manual effort, and focus flight time where it matters most
- Partner with software, flight test, and reliability engineering leads to shape how testing is planned and prioritized

What makes you a good fit:

- 6+ years in software testing, automation or test infrastructure, ideally in a cross-functional and complex hardware/software environment
- A track record of setting technical direction and driving adoption across teams
- Strong Python skills, with experience building maintainable, well-structured test frameworks and infrastructure
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD systems and integrating automated tests into build pipelines
- Experience applying AI and agentic workflows to software development or testing
- Proven ability to define and measure test coverage across complex systems
- Proficiency with mobile and browser automation tools (e.g., Appium, Playwright, Selenium)
- Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is required for this position
- Bonus: background in aviation, drones, embedded systems, robotics simulation, or hardware-in-the-loop testing

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 $150,000 - $200,000*. 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

- [Prototyping Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/prototyping-specialist-skydio-san-mateo-adpcbbdxt4b3) — San Mateo, CA
- [Electrical Engineer - Camera](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-camera-skydio-tampere-qjcrnttma0b4) — Tampere, Finland
- [Director, NPI Operations Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/director-npi-operations-engineering-skydio-san-mateo-bw0f4ng6c7yk) — San Mateo, CA
- [Production Team Lead Trainer](https://feeny.ai/job/production-team-lead-trainer-skydio-hayward-64wp6eb4d64f) — Hayward, CA
- [Customer Success Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-success-manager-skydio-canada-n6kv9yfwkwmz) — Canada
- [Senior Business Development Representative](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-business-development-representative-skydio-united-states-tf54xmxkj3fs) — United States
- [Key Account Director, T1200 (West)](https://feeny.ai/job/key-account-director-t1200-west-skydio-united-states-bmrdsahg33sx) — United States
- [Key Account Leader, Mid Cities West](https://feeny.ai/job/key-account-leader-mid-cities-west-skydio-united-states-nzw5451t3qmp) — United States
- [Program Manager, National Security - DHS](https://feeny.ai/job/program-manager-national-security-dhs-skydio-united-states-r5hj0c2d6cse) — United States
- [Key Account Leader, Small Cities West](https://feeny.ai/job/key-account-leader-small-cities-west-skydio-united-states-bsnp4svejcgs) — United States