UAV Mechanic

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, while our next-generation V3 carries 100 lbs over 1,000+ miles with 20+ hours of endurance. 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 sits between manufacturing, flight, and the field. You'll build, integrate, and maintain the aircraft themselves: airframe, mechanical systems, wiring, avionics. It all connects, and when something doesn't work, you're the one figuring out why.

Some days you're on the shop floor in Austin. Some days you're at our flight test site. Some days you're traveling to customer sites, keeping aircraft flying where they actually operate. If you want a job where every day looks the same, this isn't it.S

ome days are clean builds. Some days are troubleshooting something that should work but doesn't. If you've only worked from perfect instructions, this will feel uncomfortable. If you've actually had to figure things out, you'll do well here.

What You'll Do:

Build and assemble aircraft structures and systems from the ground up

Install and integrate mechanical, electrical, and avionics systems

Build and route wiring harnesses, perform testing and validation

Fabricate and work with composite parts (one part of the job, not the whole job)

Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues during build, integration, and maintenance

Support ground and flight test prep, including preflight and postflight checks

Travel to customer sites to maintain, repair, and support aircraft in the field

Work across subsystems and understand how they interact, not just your piece

Improve build processes, tooling, and repeatability over time

What You'll Bring:

4+ years turning wrenches on real systems (aircraft, UAVs, vehicles, robotics)

Strong mechanical foundation first, not just composites

Experience working across full systems, not just one area

Electrical experience: harnesses, connectors, testing, basic diagnostics

Ability to read drawings, wiring diagrams, and actually use them

Comfortable troubleshooting without a step-by-step playbook

Willingness to travel to customer and flight test sites

High ownership. If something is off, you don't walk past it

Bonus Points:

A&P license

UAS or military aircraft maintenance background

Flight line or flight test support experience

Experience working under FAA or similar standards

Experience in low-rate production or scaling builds

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.