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Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. The company has spent eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations. V2 aircraft carry 30 lbs up to 500 miles; V3 has a maximum range exceeding 1,000 miles, a maximum useful load of 100 lbs, and nearly 20 hours endurance. Both use hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure.
Skyways aircraft currently operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. The company is transitioning from prototype development to full-rate production and scaling toward large autonomous cargo fleets. Backed by Y Combinator and a $37M AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force, Skyways is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
In this Staff Mechanical Engineer role, you will lead the architecture, design, integration, and validation of critical aircraft structures. You will own complex aircraft hardware from early concept through detailed design, prototype build, ground test, flight test, and iteration. You'll drive system-level integration across structures, avionics, propulsion, and payload systems to resolve interface, packaging, and performance tradeoffs. You'll partner closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and capable of scaling from prototype to repeatable production. You'll participate in aircraft builds, integration efforts, and flight test campaigns. You'll mentor engineers and help define engineering standards and best practices, and identify and resolve system-level design challenges across the aircraft.
Compensation includes base salary, stock options, medical/dental/vision coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k), and life insurance. Relocation assistance is available.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Deep experience designing aircraft or flight vehicle structures, mechanisms, and subsystem integration
- Track record of owning novel hardware from concept, including first-principles sizing, loads analysis, and trade studies that set the design
- Experience taking hardware from concept through build, testing, and deployment
- Strong system-level thinking and ability to resolve complex integration challenges
- Strong track record working directly with prototype builds, hardware integration, and test campaigns (not just analysis or documentation)
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations teams
- U.S. citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or authorization under applicable export control regulations (required due to U.S. government contract)
BONUS:
- Experience with composite structures or lightweight aerospace systems
- Experience leading hardware development in robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems
- Experience in startup or rapid hardware development environments
