Staff Mechanical Engineer

At Skyways, we are building the next generation of autonomous air transportation. Our fully autonomous unmanned aircraft systems move cargo faster and more efficiently than traditional logistics networks.

Backed by strong investor support and a $37M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we operate at the intersection of commercial logistics and national defense. Our aircraft are not just prototypes—we design, build, fly, and deploy them with real customers today.

Based in Austin and supported by investors including Y Combinator, Skyways combines rapid engineering iteration with real-world operations. As we scale toward larger deployments, we are looking for people who want to help build and operate the future of autonomous aviation.

The Opportunity:
Skyways is hiring a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead the architecture and development of critical aircraft systems. This role owns complex hardware from early concept through build, testing, and flight validation.

Staff engineers play a key role in defining mechanical design strategy across the aircraft, helping guide subsystem architecture, resolving system level challenges, and supporting engineers across the team. This role requires deep technical expertise and the ability to move quickly through design, build, and test cycles.

What You'll Do::
• Lead the architecture, design, integration, and validation of critical aircraft structures

• Own complex aircraft hardware from early concept through detailed design, prototype build, ground test, flight test, and iteration

• Drive system level integration across structures, avionics, propulsion, and payload systems, to resolve interface, packaging, and performance tradeoffs

• Partner closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are buildable, testable, and capable of scaling from prototype to repeatable production

• Participate in aircraft builds, integration efforts, and flight test campaigns

• Mentor engineers and help define engineering standards and best practices

• Help identify and resolve system level design challenges across the aircraft

What You'll Bring::
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

• Deep experience with mechanical design, structures, and subsystem integration

• Experience taking hardware from concept through build, testing, and deployment

• Strong system level thinking and ability to resolve complex integration challenges

• Strong track record of 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

Bonus Points::
• Experience designing aircraft structures or flight hardware

• Experience with composite structures or lightweight aerospace systems

• Experience leading hardware development in robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems

• Experience working in startup or rapid hardware development environment

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.