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Autonomy Engineer - Planning and Controls

Skydio
Zurich, Switzerland (Hybrid)
Full-time
You apply on Skydio's own careers site

You’ll develop motion-planning and control software that determines how Skydio drones move, from low-level stabilization to task-specific behavior. The work includes designing and testing strategies on real vehicles and coordinating software interfaces with other teams, including UX.

Permanent
Hybrid

Skills & Expertise

C++
Motion planning
Robotics and hardware control
Control design
Dynamic programming
Non-linear optimization
Configuration and free-space representat
Simulation and evaluation

Key Responsibilities

Design, implement, simulate, evaluate, and flight-test motion-planning strategies for drones.

Define software data and interfaces that support effective motion planning across the system.

Develop and tune low-level controllers and coordinate planning interactions with the UX team.

Full Description

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:

The planning algorithms running onboard the vehicle define its behavior, giving our drones their character. You will contribute to the development and implementation of the core motion planning software, touching everything from the low-level stabilization and control, to high level, task specific frameworks.

How you'll make an impact:

• Conceive, design, implement, simulate, evaluate, and fly new motion planning strategies

• Work across the software system to define the right data and interfaces for successful motion planning

• Develop, tune, and evaluate low level controllers

• Work with the UX team to explore and define planning/UI boundaries for new interaction paradigms

What makes you a good fit:

• Experience writing software that controls real hardware, e.g. grasping / manipulation of a robotic arm, self-driving cars, any kind of mobile robot

• Configuration and free space representations

• Modern and classical control design methods

• Dynamic programming

• Non-linear optimization

• Solid software engineering foundation and a commitment to writing clean, well architected code

• High proficiency in C++

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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/

Applications are handled on Skydio's site