Senior Mechanical Engineer

Skyways designs, builds, and operates fully autonomous long-range cargo aircraft. Founded in 2017, the company has spent the last eight years developing and deploying autonomous logistics systems for real-world operations. Our V2 aircraft carries 30 lbs up to 500 miles, and V3 has a maximum range of well over 1,000 miles, a maximum useful load of 100 lbs, and a maximum endurance of nearly 20 hours.

Both use a hybrid-electric architecture that takes off like a helicopter and cruises like a plane, enabling long-range autonomous delivery without traditional runway infrastructure. Today, Skyways aircraft operate across three continents in controlled national airspace under FAA oversight and in support of U.S. military operations. We are 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 creating a new form of transportation to advance our civilization from Austin, Texas. The Opportunity This role owns critical aircraft hardware from concept through flight.

You will design, build, test, and iterate on mechanical systems that directly impact aircraft performance, manufacturability, and operational reliability. The work spans structural design, mechanisms, integration, and rapid hardware development across autonomous aircraft platforms. You will work closely with electrical, manufacturing, flight test, and operations teams to move quickly from design concepts to flight-ready hardware.

The role requires strong engineering judgment, hands-on execution, and the ability to solve difficult problems in fast-moving development environments. The ideal candidate has experience developing complex mechanical systems for aerospace, robotics, automotive, or other high-performance hardware platforms and is comfortable owning hardware through the full product lifecycle. The Opportunity This role owns critical aircraft hardware from concept through flight.

You will design, build, test, and iterate on mechanical systems that directly impact aircraft performance, manufacturability, and operational reliability. The work spans structural design, mechanisms, integration, and rapid hardware development across autonomous aircraft platforms. You will work closely with electrical, manufacturing, flight test, and operations teams to move quickly from design concepts to flight-ready hardware.

The role requires strong engineering judgment, hands-on execution, and the ability to solve difficult problems in fast-moving development environments. The ideal candidate has experience developing complex mechanical systems for aerospace, robotics, automotive, or other high-performance hardware platforms and is comfortable owning hardware through the full product lifecycle. In addition to base salary, offers include stock options, so you own part of what you build.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401k, and life insurance. Relocation assistance is available for candidates moving to Austin. 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.