# Autonomy Lead
**Company:** [Skyways](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/skyways)
**Location:** Austin, TX
**Skills:** C++, Python, Ros2, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, State Estimation, Motion Planning, Gnc, Embedded Systems, Robotics Frameworks
**Posted:** 2026-03-30
> Leads end-to-end autonomy system for UAVs, owning perception, state estimation, planning, and ML integration to ensure reliable real-world missions. Requires hands-on experience deploying autonomy on robotic platforms, C++/Python proficiency, and leading small teams.
## Job Description
## What You'll Do

- Own the end-to-end autonomy system across **perception**, **state estimation**, **planning**, and system behavior
- Define system architecture and make tradeoffs across performance, reliability, and complexity
- Lead engineers and set technical direction for autonomy development
- Work directly in the codebase on critical parts of the stack
- Drive integration across **GNC**, hardware, and mission planning systems
- Own how **perception** and **ML models** are developed, evaluated, and improved using real-world data
- Drive dataset strategy, labeling, and iteration loops to improve system performance
- Evaluate model performance in real-world conditions and close gaps between simulation and deployment
- Define how autonomy is validated across simulation, ground testing, and flight testing
- Debug real-world failures using flight data, logs, and system-level analysis
- Identify gaps in the current system and drive changes needed for reliable deployment
- Set execution standards for autonomy development and delivery

## What You'll Bring

- Owned autonomy systems that operated in the real world, not just simulation or research environments
- Strong system-level understanding across **perception**, **estimation**, and **planning**, with depth in at least one area
- Experience training, evaluating, or improving **ML models** used in real-world robotic or autonomy systems
- Experience working with real-world datasets, labeling pipelines, and model iteration cycles
- Experience taking at least one autonomy system from early development through real-world deployment and iteration
- Strong proficiency in **C++** and **Python**
- Experience working across software, hardware, and flight or field operations
- Ability to make practical tradeoffs under real constraints and deliver working systems
- Experience leading engineers and driving technical direction
- Experience debugging real-world autonomy failures using logs, telemetry, or flight data

## Bonus Points If You Have

- Experience with autonomous aircraft or aerial systems
- Background in **robotics**, **computer vision**, or **motion planning**
- Experience with real-time or embedded systems
- Familiarity with **ROS2** or similar robotics frameworks
- Experience deploying **ML models** to resource-constrained or real-time systems
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/autonomy-lead-at-skyways-31b77eb7-c96a-4c43-8824-34d6b04fc44a
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/autonomy-lead-at-skyways-31b77eb7-c96a-4c43-8824-34d6b04fc44a