About the role
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 seeking Summer 2027 interns or Co-ops for our Hardware Test & Reliability Team!
Autonomous systems are a new breed of product that bring together electronics hardware and real-time AI software. The complexity of the systems combined with the fact they can move freely in the real world, makes the development and reliability testing strategy a key element of delivering a great product.
We are seeking a driven and cross-functional engineering intern to help the development and execution of test plans and testing infrastructure to enable rapid design iteration and robust product validation for state-of-the-art autonomous flying machines servicing a broad range of consumer and commercial use cases.
How you’ll make an impact:
Own the design and implementation of hardware and software systems to execute comprehensive performance and reliability validation for products performing in a wide array of use cases
Analyze data, calculate statistics, and carefully document results to explain trends and inform impactful design improvements
Perform failure analysis to identify root cause and help develop process/design mitigations to resolve system issues, collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams
Participate in design reviews and provide key design for reliability inputs to mitigate risks at every stage of the product development lifecycle
What makes you a good fit:
A sense of how to test, how not to test, and how to find vulnerabilities in processes and design
A systematic approach to problem solving, and a knack for rapidly identifying issues within electro-mechanical systems; strong desire to drive failure analyses to true root cause
Enthusiastic tendencies toward diving in and applying first principles to engineer creative solutions to complex problems
Experience with Python or other programming languages for test automation, data analysis and visualization
Strong desire to learn and contribute across multiple domains within a dynamic and growing organization
Excellent project management, written & verbal communication and cross-functional teamwork skills
Familiarity with testing equipment and basic knowledge of stress, environmental, and accelerated life testing methods to assess product durability and reliability.
Compensation Range: The hourly rate for this position is $47/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/
About Skydio
Skydio is a drone manufacturer that uses artificial intelligence to create flying drones that are used by consumers, enterprises, and government customers.
It develops AI-powered drones to deliver the power and flying cameras without the complexity. The company's drones use an array of cameras and proprietary computer vision technology to recognize, avoid objects in real-time, and predict into the future to make intelligent decisions, enabling users by flying themselves through the most demanding tasks or keeping them safe from obstacles when they want to take control. The company's debut drone, the R1, could track a target and film them while avoiding obstacles without any human intervention required. Then the company released the Skydio 2 in 2019, its second drone, cutting off more than half the price while improving its autonomous tracking and video capabilities. Its flagship product, the X2, is equipped with seven cameras, 100x zoom, night vision, and promises to turn ordinary users into expert pilots thanks to its self-piloting abilities. It is backed by top investors and strategic partners including Andreessen Horowitz, Linse Capital, Next47, IVP, Playground, NVIDIA, and UP.Partners.
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Job details
Salary
$97,760 - $120,640
Location
San Mateo, CA
Funding
Total raised
$825M
Last stage
Growth
Investors
Founders
What happens next.
No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.
Confirm the fit
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I pitch you to the company
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
A meeting lands on your calendar
If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.
