Skydio
Senior Electric Motor Propulsion Engineer
$170K–$278K
San Mateo, California, United States · Hybrid · Senior · Full-time · Posted Oct 9, 2026
About the job
Models, designs, and optimizes electric propulsion systems for drones, from ESCs and motors to propellers.
What you'll do
- Model, architect, and optimize propulsion systems and detailed motor designs for performance, efficiency, and size.
- Develop test plans and measure motor losses and flux; create simulation models for thermal modeling and system engineering.
- Explore motor technologies and integrate propulsion systems with motor controls and ESCs.
What they ask for
- Strong mathematical and physical understanding of motor power and loss mechanisms, with knowledge of finite element methods, motor thermal modeling, and motor control theory.
- Experience with electric motor loss characterization.
- Ability to model, architect, and optimize propulsion systems from ESCs to motors to propellers.
- Familiarity with construction and manufacturing techniques for outrunner PMSMs in the ~500W size class.
Nice to have
- FAA Part 107 certification within the first 60 days is strongly encouraged for all employees, though required for certain positions.
Pay
$170,000 - $277,500 USD annual base salary
Tools
finite element method, ESCs, outrunner PMSMs, FAA Part 107
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative