Six Figure Work

Software Engineer - Embedded

Skydio, Inc

Company websiteskydio.com (Skydio, Inc, opens in new tab)

Base salary $127,500  to $210,000

Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in San Mateo, CA

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  • LocationSan Mateo, CA
  • WorkplaceHybrid
  • Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
  • Last checked (22 min ago) · observed since

About this job

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 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 (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.

About the role: 

Reliable embedded firmware acts as the brain stem of our autonomous drones and the foundation for the growing accessory product line -- bridging the gap between the algorithms and the sensors/mechanical hardware. As a Skydio embedded software engineer, you will have the opportunity to architect, build out and lead the development of both current and future products in a fast-paced environment.

How you'll make an impact:

  • Provide technical direction and architecture of complex systems

  • Design and implement the embedded software that runs on the vehicle

  • Characterize, integrate, and validate key subsystems (e.g. next-gen camera, radio)

  • Bring up and debug new hardware

  • Write interfaces and drivers for sensors and other devices

What makes you a good fit:

  • Ability to write modern C++ in a real-time embedded environment

  • Python development experience

  • Ability to write clean code with appropriate abstraction boundaries

  • SOC development (Qualcomm devices a plus), embedded microcontrollers, camera drivers

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

  • Embedded linux userspace and kernel development

  • Fundamental knowledge of low-level firmware

  • Hands-on hardware bring-up, system debugging and code optimization

  • Knowledge of debugging systems at ARM assembly code level

  • Embedded security and cryptographic firmware development

  • Obtaining FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days of employment is strongly encouraged for all Skydio employees and required for certain positions

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 $127,500 - $210,000*. 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.

*Compensation for certain positions may vary based on the position’s location.

#LI-TK1

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, Inc on Ashby · View original posting (opens in new tab)

Pay in context

This role's base floor ($127,500) is above 10% of the 4,313 Software Engineering roles in California listed on this site. Their median floor is $176,100; the middle half runs from $149,100 to $203,000.

Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 6, 2026.

This range next to 6 other live Skydio, Inc roles with the nearest advertised base floor
Chart as a table
This range next to 6 other live Skydio, Inc roles with the nearest advertised base floor
RolePublished base
Software Engineer - Embedded (this listing)$127,500 - $210,000
Electrical Engineer (all levels)$127,500 - $240,000
Electrical Design Engineer$127,500 - $240,000
Prototyping Specialist$128K - $150K
Electrical Engineer (Sustaining/Validation)$127K - $180K
Senior Data Analyst, Analytics$130K - $175K
Sr. Operations Specialist – Launch Team$125K - $170K

Same $100K to $400K scale as every card. All Skydio, Inc roles · How to read the bar

Observed changes

  1. Began meeting the published-salary criteria
  2. First observed on the employer's board
Observed since
Employer-stated posting date
2026-09-25
Where this pay comes from

Location as the employer wrote it: San Mateo, California, United States

ncies, transferable knowledge, and experience. Relocation assistance may also be provided for eligible roles. The annual base salary range for this position is $127,500 - $210,000*. Fundamentally, we believe that equity is the key to long-

Method
Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
Checked
Rule set
us-base-v2

The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.

What we verified

  • The pay figures come from the employer's own listing, quoted exactly above.
  • The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
  • The role was publicly listed on the employer's job board when last checked.

We do not verify what the employer will actually offer, whether the employer is still recruiting for the role, or anything beyond what the employer published. Full methodology.