Software Engineer - Cloud Simulation & Full-Stack
San Mateo, California, United States - Full-time
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 a software engineer to build the cloud-native and full-stack systems that power customer-facing simulation at Skydio. In this role, you will design and implement the services, APIs, and interfaces that allow customers to configure, personalize, and interact with the Skydio Simulator at scale.
This is not a pure cloud role: you will work closely with the simulator itself, interfacing directly with C++ and Python systems that run real-time simulation and autonomy software. You’ll help bridge the gap between a complex robotics simulator and intuitive, flexible user experiences delivered through the cloud.
Areas of Responsibility:
Cloud-Backed Simulation Services: Build backend systems that orchestrate simulator execution, configuration, and lifecycle management in cloud environments.
Customer Personalization and Configuration: Enable customers to tailor simulation environments, scenarios, vehicles, and behaviors through robust APIs and services.
Simulator Integration: Design clean, reliable interfaces between cloud services and the core simulator runtime, including control, data exchange, and monitoring.
Full-Stack Experiences: Develop backend and frontend components that expose simulator capabilities through web interfaces and customer-facing tools.
Scalability and Reliability: Ensure simulation services are secure, observable, and scalable to support production customer workloads.
What You’ll Do:
Design and build cloud-native services that orchestrate, configure, and interact with the Skydio Simulator at scale.
Develop robust backend systems that interface directly with the simulator runtime, enabling control, configuration, data exchange, and monitoring.
Build customer-facing workflows and APIs that allow users to personalize simulation environments, scenarios, vehicles, and behaviors.
Implement full-stack features, collaborating across backend services and frontend applications to deliver intuitive, reliable simulation experiences.
Partner closely with simulator, autonomy, and product teams to translate complex simulator capabilities into usable, production-ready customer features.
Architect systems with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, observability, and security, supporting multi-tenant, production workloads.
Contribute to technical direction and architectural decisions around how simulation is delivered as a cloud product.
Qualifications:
Strong professional experience building backend and distributed systems in production environments.
Proficiency in Python and C++ (required), with the ability to integrate cloud services with performance-sensitive native systems.
Proficiency in modern frontend development using TypeScript and React.
Experience designing and consuming APIs, including GraphQL or similar API paradigms.
Experience with cloud and platform technologies such as AWS, Kubernetes, and PostgreSQL.
Comfort working across system boundaries — from cloud services and APIs down to simulator-facing interfaces.
Strong product sense and ability to design systems that are both technically sound and intuitive for customers.
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across multiple teams and disciplines.
Bonus Experience:
Experience with Go for backend or platform services.
Experience with Rust (strong plus), especially for systems, performance-sensitive, or infrastructure work.
Frontend experience with 3D or visualization technologies such as Three.js or WebGL.
Familiarity with workflow orchestration systems such as Temporal.
Experience productizing complex technical systems for external users.
Background or interest in simulation, robotics, or real-time systems.
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 $170,000 - 240,000*. 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.
*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.
#LI-SM1
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/