Embedded Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2027

Department: R&D

Location: San Mateo, California, United States

Employment Type: Intern

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 interns for the Summer 2027 Season. Reliable embedded firmware acts as the brain stem of our autonomous drones and accessory products -- bridging the gap between the algorithms and the sensors/mechanical hardware. As an Embedded Software Engineering Intern, you will have the opportunity to help define and develop functionality for internal teams and/or current & future products in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

An ideal intern candidate is a junior, senior, or MS-level college student with industry experience developing device-level embedded software or firmware.

About the team:
Our team is responsible for large portions of the software engineering stack, working on a wide variety of subsystems. We write bare metal and RTOS microcontroller code (generally STM32 product line), integrate and write code for embedded linux and android platforms (Qualcomm and Nvidia SOCs), maintain the associated linux kernels, and help design and bring up all new electronics.

• We work closely with both the hardware team and the rest of the software organization, creating the foundation for the rest of the Skydio software team to build upon.

How you'll make an impact:

• Develop and implement the embedded software that runs on the drone and our growing accessory product lines e.g. Skydio Dock

• Characterize, integrate, and validate key subsystems (e.g. cameras, radios, flight controllers)

• Bring up and debug new hardware

• Write interfaces and drivers for sensors, cameras, and other devices

What makes you a good fit:

• Practical experience writing firmware/embedded code for a physical device

• Proficiency with C++ within the context of embedded systems

• Proficiency with Python for testing, experimentation, and tools development

• Ability to write clean code with appropriate abstraction boundaries

• Ability to read schematics and use standard debugging equipment: oscilloscope, logic analyzer, multimeter

• Ownership in digging into complex problems

• Bonus points for embedded linux userspace and kernel development

• Bonus points for knowledge of debugging systems at ARM assembly code level
  
  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/