Product Design Engineer Intern - Summer 2027

Skydio
San Mateo, CA
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates comfortable with hands-on prototyping and cross-functional collaboration, working in a technical environment focused on autonomous drone systems in San Mateo, California.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a strong mechanical design background and a passion for solving complex engineering problems.
    — “Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail that will delight customers
  • Individuals with experience in 3D CAD and a willingness to learn advanced manufacturing processes.
    — “Experience with 3D CAD. Familiarity with CATIA is highly valued.
  • Students with a background in engineering or related fields, particularly those interested in autonomous systems and drone technology.
    — “The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development

Things to consider

  • Compensation varies by educational level and may not be uniform for all interns.
    — “Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience.
  • The role may require global communication with suppliers, which could affect work-life balance.
    — “Communicate with a cross functional team of engineers and suppliers around the globe

How to stand out

  • Highlight past experience with prototyping and problem-solving in your resume and interview responses.
    — “Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset
  • Emphasize your ability to integrate mechanical and electrical components into cohesive designs.
    — “How to design and integrate circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies
  • Showcase your experience with DFM and tooling development for mechanical parts.
    — “How to complete DFM (design-for-manufacturing) with local and foreign suppliers
  • Demonstrate your ability to validate solutions through testing and data collection.
    — “Validate your solutions with hands-on prototyping, testing, and data collection
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Design parts for prototypes
  • Validate solutions with testing
Typical background
Engineering degreeExperience with CAD software

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical Design3D CADProblem SolvingCross-functional Collaboration

Preferred

Design For ManufacturingElectrical DesignAerodynamics

Stack & domain

3D CADCatia

About the role

Original posting from Skydio via Ashby

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 https://www.skydio.com/solutions/energy-and-utilities to first responders https://www.skydio.com/solutions/public-safety, soldiers in battlefield scenarios https://www.skydio.com/solutions/national-security/tactical-isr, and beyond https://www.skydio.com/solutions.

About the role:

As a member of the Product Design Team, you will work on meaningful projects that add value to Skydio and our users. You will solve complex, interesting problems and learn from a team of world-class engineers and researchers.

On the job you will:

  • Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset
  • Design parts for next generation prototypes
  • Chase down the root cause of mission critical issues on existing or developing products
  • Find solutions with engineering design or manufacturing process changes
  • Validate your solutions with hands-on prototyping, testing, and data collection
  • Communicate with a cross functional team of engineers and suppliers around the globe
  • Present your work in design reviews and learn from senior members of our team

We are looking for you to have:

  • Relentless curiosity
  • Ability to leverage rock solid fundamentals to create exceptional designs for complicated products
  • Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail that will delight customers
  • Experience with 3D CAD. Familiarity with CATIA is highly valued.

Bonus skills for the job (This experience is great to have, but we are also happy to teach you):

  • How to design for a broad array of manufacturing processes including: injection molding, metal casting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, and composites.
  • How to complete DFM (design-for-manufacturing) with local and foreign suppliers
  • How to design and integrate circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies

Some examples of past projects include:

  • Gimbal Isolation: Design, simulate, re-design, DFM, and kick-off tooling for Skydio X10 gimbal vibration isolators
  • Scrappy Wind Tunnel: Exactly what it sounds like. Research what it takes to make a wind tunnel. Build a wind tunnel. Use the wind tunnel to learn about aerodynamic forces on a drone to inform design improvements.
  • Drone Battery Charger: Create prototypes for the battery charger for Skydio 2. Perform user studies, come up with a thermal solution, architect the product, and work on cosmetic surfacing.

Compensation Range: The annual base salary range for this position is $41/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. In addition to base salary, Skydio full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans and take advantage of a variety of incentives and stipends.

*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/

Source: Skydio careers (Ashby)

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