Senior Software Engineer

At Skyways, we are building a new form of air transportation—what some call the flying car. Backed by fresh funding and a major STRATFI contract from the U.S. Air Force, we’re uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of aviation innovation. Our fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a breakthrough opportunity to move goods—and soon, people—in ways that are faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before. Unlike anyone else in the industry, our strategy blends rapid iteration with real-world deployment, and it’s already paying off.

Skyways is a fast-growing startup based in Austin, TX, supported by top Silicon Valley investors including Y Combinator. Though we’re early-stage, our vehicles are already in production and in the hands of paying commercial customers (see here and here ). With robust financial backing and government partnerships accelerating our momentum, there’s never been a better time to join us and help build the future of transportation!

The Opportunity

Skyways is expanding rapidly, and we're seeking a Senior Software Engineer to contribute across our diverse and growing software landscape. This is a critical generalist role with a broad scope, empowering you to tackle varied challenges, from complex ground station applications to the sophisticated systems that control our autonomous aircraft. You will play a vital role in enabling our rapid development and deployment, making a tangible impact in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.

What You'll Do:

• Design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality software solutions across various domains, including front-end applications, backend services, and potentially embedded systems.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams (e.g., robotics, GNC, flight operations, hardware) to define requirements and implement robust solutions.
• Identify and address pain points in existing software imaging, deployment, and operational processes.
• Contribute to the architecture and technical direction of new and existing software systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Proactively identify technical challenges, debug complex issues, and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment.
• Participate in code reviews, foster best practices, and contribute to a culture of technical excellence.
• Assist with data analysis, particularly for making sense of large datasets and creating effective visualizations, as the company scales.

What You'll Bring:

• 5+ years of professional experience in software development.
• Strong proficiency in Python and/or JavaScript.
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining complex software systems.
• Solid understanding of software engineering principles, data structures, algorithms, and design patterns.
• Experience with development best practices, including version control (e.g., Git), testing, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a meticulous attention to detail.
• A proactive, self-starter attitude with a strong bias for action, comfortable with ambiguity and thriving in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Experience with front-end technologies like ElectronJS or 3D rendering libraries (e.g., CesiumJS, Three.js, Babylon.js), especially for mission planning or visualization tools.
• Background in robotics, computer vision ("landing zone evaluation," "detect and avoid"), or autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and their application in navigation.
• Experience with direct communication to hardware or embedded systems.
• Knowledge of aviation or defense programs.
• Experience in a fast-paced startup environment.

Why Join Skyways?

• Mission: To create a new form of transportation to advance our civilization. Be part of a well-funded, rapidly growing startup at the forefront of a transformative industry, solving real-world problems with tangible impact for both commercial and military applications.
• Growth: Be instrumental in scaling our rapidly growing product portfolio and operational capabilities, with the potential for future growth into a team lead role.
• Ownership: Take ownership of critical programs, driving them from concept to deployment, directly influencing the development of autonomous aircraft that are already operational.
• Culture: Work with a passionate and collaborative team of brilliant, mission-driven engineers and operators. We foster a culture of technical excellence, rapid iteration, and shared commitment to safety and innovation. You'll have direct collaboration with experienced leadership.

Want to join our mission? Apply to learn more!

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.