Software Engineer - Simulation & Robotics Engineer

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: We are looking for a software engineer to build and evolve the core of the Skydio Simulator — a high-fidelity, real-time digital replica of the physical world used both by customers and by Skydio’s autonomy engineers every day. In this role, you will work deep in the simulator stack: from physics and sensor simulation, to hardware emulation, to the core architecture that runs our full autonomy software in simulation. You will help define how simulated worlds behave, how vehicles perceive and interact with them, and how closely simulation mirrors reality. This is a systems-heavy role focused on correctness, performance, and realism. Prior robotics experience is not required, but curiosity about physical systems and an interest in autonomous robots is essential. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: - Core Simulator Architecture: Design, implement, and evolve the foundational architecture of the Skydio Simulator, ensuring it scales across vehicle types, environments, and use cases. - Physics and Dynamics: Improve and extend physics models governing vehicle motion, interactions with the environment, and dynamic agents. - Sensor and Hardware Simulation: Build high-fidelity simulations of cameras, IMUs, and other onboard components, including timing, noise characteristics, and hardware behavior. - Autonomy Stack Integration: Run and validate the full Skydio autonomy stack in simulation, ensuring consistency between simulated and real-world behavior. - Feature Development on Top of the Core: Implement simulator capabilities that unlock new workflows for customers and internal autonomy engineers, from training scenarios to advanced testing modes. - Performance and Fidelity: Profile, optimize, and improve simulator performance while continuously pushing realism and accuracy. WHAT YOU’LL DO: - Develop core simulator components in C++ and Python, working close to real-time constraints. - Collaborate with autonomy, perception, and controls engineers to align simulation behavior with real-world systems. - Debug complex interactions between physics, sensors, autonomy logic, and rendering. - Help shape the long-term technical direction of the simulator as both a product and an internal platform. - Contribute to documentation and shared understanding of how the simulator works internally. QUALIFICATIONS: - Strong software engineering experience with C++ and Python. - Experience building complex systems where performance, determinism, or correctness matter. - Comfort reasoning about time-synchronized systems, state machines, or real-time execution. - Ability to work in a large, evolving codebase with multiple stakeholders. - Interest in robotics, simulation, or physical systems (prior robotics experience is a plus, not a requirement). BONUS EXPERIENCE: - Robotics, simulation, game engines, or real-time systems. - Physics engines, sensor modeling, or hardware abstraction layers. - Multithreaded or low-latency system design. - Experience debugging systems that span software and physical behavior. 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