Senior Engineering Program Manager

Department: R&D

Location: San Mateo, California, United States

Employment Type: FullTime

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 a dynamic Senior Engineering Program Manager to lead our hardware engineering program management team. You will play a critical role in designing, developing, and delivering custom, integrated solutions that enable our revolutionary autonomous flight technology. As a senior leader within the hardware engineering organization, you will manage and grow a team of program managers, coordinate cross-functional efforts across the company, and drive strategic initiatives from conception through launch.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Lead and Develop the Team: Manage a team of hardware engineering program managers, including hiring, mentoring, and professional development, to build a world-class program management function.

• Drive Complex Engineering Programs: Oversee complex hardware engineering programs, ensuring product requirements are clearly defined and well-understood across multidisciplinary teams (firmware, electrical, mechanical).

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Collaborate with engineering management and internal teams to define plans, prioritize engineering efforts, and ensure that all critical aspects of the product development cycle are met—including build readiness, testing setups and execution, supplier engagement, and resolving major technical issues.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as a central coordination point across engineering and non-engineering teams (including operations and other program management teams) to align efforts toward major company-wide milestones.

• Process Improvement: Develop and implement processes to improve efficiency, communication, and collaboration within and between teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• Hands-On Problem Solving: Be willing and able to dive into complex problems and execute hands-on when necessary to drive projects forward.

• Influence and Communication: Utilize exceptional presentation and interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization, including executive leadership.

What would make you a strong fit:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is required; an advanced degree is a plus.

• Extensive Experience: Approximately 10+ years of experience running complex engineering programs as the lead or principal individual contributor—ideally in vehicles, major consumer products, or similar industries—from conception through launch.

• Leadership Skills: Around 5+ years of people leadership experience, with a track record of growing or managing teams of 10 or more program managers.

• Deep Technical Understanding: A solid understanding of hardware technologies and experience working closely with highly technical engineering teams.

• Exceptional Communication: Outstanding presentation and interpersonal skills; a communication superstar who can influence and collaborate across all organizational levels.

• Adaptability: Highly functional in a chaotic, fast-paced, and dynamic environment; comfortable switching frequently between strategic and tactical perspectives.

• Proactive and Hands-On: Willingness and ability to dive into problems and execute hands-on as needed to drive results.

• Analytical Thinking: Highly analytical with the ability to organize and distill data to drive rigorous product development decisions.

Compensation: At Skydio, our compensation packages for full-time employees include competitive base salaries, equity in the form of options, comprehensive benefits, and various incentives and stipends. 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 $240,000-$280,000. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-term financial growth, and we ensure all full-time employees have the opportunity to significantly benefit from the company’s success.

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/