Autonomy Engineer Intern, Simulation & Robotics, 2027 (Zurich)

The role

You will architect and implement algorithms for the Skydio Simulator. You will develop core simulator components in C++ and Python to advance autonomy capabilities.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and evolve the foundational architecture of the Skydio Simulator.
• Improve and extend physics models governing vehicle motion and interactions.
• Build high-fidelity simulations of cameras, IMUs, and other onboard components.
• Run and validate the full Skydio autonomy stack in simulation.
• Implement simulator capabilities that unlock new workflows.
• Profile, optimize, and improve simulator performance.
• Develop core simulator components in C++ and Python.
• Collaborate with autonomy, perception, and controls engineers.
• Debug complex interactions between physics, sensors, autonomy logic, and rendering.
• Contribute to documentation and shared understanding of the simulator.

Required qualifications

• Strong software engineering experience with C++ and Python.
• Experience building complex systems where performance, determinism, or correctness matter.
• Comfort reasoning about time-synchronized systems, state machines, or real-time execution.
• Ability to work in a large, evolving codebase with multiple stakeholders.

Nice to have

• prior robotics experience
• Robotics, simulation, game engines, or real-time systems
• Physics engines, sensor modeling, or hardware abstraction layers
• Multithreaded or low-latency system design
• Experience debugging systems that span software and physical behavior

About the company

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight. The team combines expertise in artificial intelligence, hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession.