Aviation Regulatory Program Manager

Skydio•San Mateo, CA

About The Position

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios and beyond. About the Role We are seeking a world-class Aviation Regulatory Program Manager to join our Global Aviation Regulatory team. You will execute regulatory strategy to secure and sustain operational approvals that enable advanced, autonomous drone operations in the U.S. and globally. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Skydio is the largest American drone company whose products are used by thousands of organizations across critical infrastructure, public safety, energy utilities and many sectors. We believe our regulatory team is the best in the world, led by pioneers who have secured groundbreaking approvals in the U.S. and other countries. If you want to break regulatory barriers, enable life-saving missions, and join a rocket-ship company that is transforming drone technology, this is the job for you.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in aviation, engineering, public policy, or a related field or equivalent experience.
Passion for aviation, autonomy, and creating solutions that drive real impact.
Experience navigating regulatory frameworks for unmanned aircraft operations (U.S. and international is a plus).
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory concepts clearly and persuasively to both regulators and internal teams.
History of collaborating cross-functionally in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
Strong sense of ownership and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with competing demands on your time.
Obsessive focus on customer success.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complicated topics--such as autonomy--to regulators and partners.
Ability to travel to client sites and attend technical validation events, as required (including international).

Nice To Haves

Having both manned and unmanned aviation experience is a plus.
Experience navigating regulatory frameworks for unmanned aircraft operations (U.S. and international is a plus).

Responsibilities

Develop, submit, and defend aviation regulatory operational approval requests, waivers, exemptions, and declarations that enable safe and scalable drone operations.
Be a trusted resource and guide for our customers and partners pursuing advanced regulatory projects.
Develop and maintain scalable systems to track and oversee the implementation of regulatory projects.
Translate emerging regulations into clear internal guidance and actionable plans.
Support key product demonstrations and technical validation events in coordination with the flight testing and solutions engineering teams.
Provide regulatory advice to the customer support, product management, and engineering teams to ensure the compliant, safe, and scalable use of Skydio’s hardware and software products.
Serve as a point of contact with civil aviation authorities (FAA and global regulators), representing Skydio in regulatory reviews, audits, and compliance discussions.
Contribute to standards development and represent Skydio in industry bodies and consensus forums.