Senior Software Engineer

AI overview

Build and optimize software for unmanned aerial vehicles while collaborating directly with customers in the field to ensure efficient operations and enhance product development.
At Skyways, we are building the future of air transportation with fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Backed by significant funding, including a $37M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we operate at the intersection of commercial and defense markets. We have designed, built, and flown aircraft with real customers and government partners, and are now entering the next phase of the company: scaling toward production. Based in Austin, TX and supported by top investors including Y Combinator, Skyways blends rapid iteration with real world deployment. We design, test, and operate our systems in the field, then bring those learnings directly back into engineering and product decisions. As we grow, we are looking for builders and leaders who want real ownership, technical depth, and the opportunity to help take an aircraft from successful deployments to full production. The Opportunity As a Software Engineer on the Customer Success team, your work will directly ensure that our customers succeed with Skyways’ aircraft. You will build, maintain, and optimize the software that powers flight control, autonomous navigation, and operator applications. This is not an isolated coding role. You will spend time observing and working alongside customers in the field to understand their operations, challenges, and workflows. The feedback you collect will guide your software design decisions and help create solutions that are intuitive, reliable, and impactful. You will have the chance to see your code in action in real missions, troubleshooting, iterating, and improving the systems that our customers rely on. Travel is part of the job, allowing you to experience firsthand how Skyways aircraft are deployed in commercial and government environments. What You’ll Do:
  • Develop and maintain flight control, autonomous navigation, and mission execution software with the customer experience in mind.
  • Build operator facing mobile and desktop applications that simplify complex UAV operations.
  • Partner directly with customers to understand their workflows and operational needs.
  • Debug and optimize software in both simulated and live flight environments.
  • Travel to customer sites to observe operations, provide technical support, and collect feedback.
  • Collaborate closely with engineering, GNC, and hardware teams to integrate solutions across the stack.
  • What You Bring:
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience with C++, Python, Javascript or related languages.
  • Strong problem solving skills with real time, safety critical systems.
  • Ability to engage directly with customers and translate operational challenges into software solutions.
  • Clear communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
  • Excitement about aviation, drones, or autonomy.
  • Willingness to travel regularly to customer sites.
  • Bonus Points:
  • Experience with Ardupilot, PX4, or MavLink.
  • Prior customer facing technical role.
  • Background in aerospace or robotics.
  • Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

    Due to U.S. government contract requirements, this role is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or candidates from specific countries authorized under applicable export control regulations.

    Skyways is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

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