← All roles

Senior Autonomy Engineer - Controls

Skydio· R&D
Apply on company site
Hybrid (San Mateo, California, United States)$170k - $240kFull-timePosted 6mo ago

About the role

The controls algorithms running onboard autonomous drones define behavior for stable/smooth flight and gimbal motion. Role focuses on development and implementation of core motion planning software, including low-level stabilization and control, and high-level task-specific frameworks with emphasis on low-level controls.

Responsibilities

  • Develop, tune, and evaluate low level controllers and trajectory optimization
  • Work across the software system to define the right data and interfaces for successful control
  • Work with the UX team to explore and define planning/UI boundaries for new interaction paradigms

Qualifications

  • Industry or Research experience writing software that controls real hardware (e.g., grasping manipulation of a robotic arm, self-driving cars, aerial robots, or mobile robots)
  • Modern and classical control design methods
  • High proficiency in C++
  • Dynamic programming
  • Non-linear optimization
  • Solid software engineering foundation and a commitment to writing clean, well-architected code
  • Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged and required for certain positions

Skills

Required:Controllers and trajectory optimizationC++Dynamic programmingNon-linear optimization

Benefits

  • Paid vacation time
  • Sick leave
  • Holiday pay
  • 401K savings plan
  • Group health insurance plans
  • Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible roles
Last updated Oct 22, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
Skydio logo

About Skydio

A family of flying robots.

AI-powered autonomous drones for Drone as First Responder (DFR), critical infrastructure inspection, tactical ISR, site security, surveying and mapping

DronesAutonomous SystemsInspectionSecurityMappingPublic SafetyNational Security
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Skydio