Actuator Test Technician

Joby Aviation; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 49,593 - 68,880; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Joby Aviation, located in Santa Cruz, California, seeks an Actuator Test Technician to join their Testing Team. The role involves assembling and operating test stands and performing troubleshooting for aerospace flight hardware. Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in electromechanical assemblies and be comfortable in a fast-paced environment. The position includes a compensation range of $36-$50/hr, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience as a technician assembling electromechanical mechanisms and/or power electronic assemblies.
• Experience with data acquisition devices and sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gage).
• Must be able to work from procedures and drawings with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and operate test stands using engineering drawings.
• Install instrumentation according to engineering drawings.
• Maintain a clean and orderly lab space with tool control, calibration, and inventory.

Skills

Data acquisition devices

Electromechanical mechanisms

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Fast-paced environment adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Machining tools (Mill, Drill)

Basic electronics tools (Oscilloscope, multimeter)

Job description

Actuator Test Technician

Support the mechanical design and assembly of test fixtures for aerospace flight hardware

Location: Santa Cruz, California, United States

Compensation: $36 - 50 USD / hour

Job Tags: Hardware

About The Role

Joby Overview

Located in Northern California, the team at Joby Aviation is driven by our goal of creating an affordable, all-electric air transportation system. Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. Since 2009, our team has worked steadily to make this dream a reality. We've designed and tested many generations of prototype aircraft capable of serving in a network of electric air taxis. We're looking for talented, committed individuals to join our team as we push onwards toward certifying the Joby aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service.

Overview

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our Testing Team as a Test Technician. This role will be responsible for the assembly, operation, troubleshooting and decommissioning of test stands and test equipment. The Test Technician will be responsible for the mechanical/structural setup of test stands, the installation of instrumentation gauging and wiring on test stands, and operation of basic data acquisition equipment. The Test Technician will have the responsibility to work with engineers to resolve issues with test and data acquisition equipment. The work is performed in a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. The Test Technician works in the testing facility and is often hands on with aerospace flight hardware; attention to detail and a focus on safety are required at all times. The test technician is responsible to ensure work areas are clean and safe, including following 5S best practices for test work areas, ensuring test equipment is maintained in good working order and tracked in inventory. The test technician supports development of company best practices and continuous improvement measures for test processes and facilities. This role interacts with engineers and technicians from multiple cross functional teams. The successful individual will be able to communicate test status and test needs to leadership and internal customers, being the focal for the hands‑on commissioning and operation of complex test stands.

Responsibilities

The Test Technician primarily be responsible for the assembly and operation of the test stands using engineering drawings and models, operating forklift to move heavy equipment, light metal fabrication/machining such as milling, drilling, cutting, and grinding metal parts, assembly of large metallic bolted and welded structures, setting up hydraulic and pneumatic actuation systems, set up of video cameras to collect test footage, and installation of electromechanical components such as valves, motors, and switches. The test technician will support tracking, calibration, inventory, and control of tools, instruments, equipment, and raw materials used for testing.

The Test Technician will also be responsible for the installation of instrumentation according to engineering drawings, verifying instrumentation locations, soldering wire connections, checkout, and troubleshooting of the instruments at the test stand, including load cells, displacement sensors, strain gauges, transducers, etc. The test technician will use digital systems and digital and analog instruments to collect and report test data and test media. The test technician may mentor others in the installation of instrumentation.

We are looking for a Test Technician to join the Test Team and support the mechanical design and assembly of the test rig, as well as test execution.

Why we need you:

• You will support multiple projects and engineers and help with the fixture design, assembly, test execution, and troubleshooting. You will test the hardware of our next‑generation Electrical VTOL aircraft. The successful candidate will be proactive, self‑motivated, hands‑on, and follow best safety practices.

What you will do:

• Develop and build 'one-off' test fixtures
• Interpret drawings and CAD models to assemble electromechanical systems, test fixtures, and harnesses
• Select and procure necessary hardware and tools
• Create assembly instructions and a bill of materials for the test fixtures
• Develop and follow test procedures and processes
• Execute tests with our internal lab equipment or at external labs
• Troubleshoot mechanical and test setup issues
• Maintain a clean and orderly lab space with tool control, calibration, and inventory
• Follow best safety practices

Who we are looking for:

• You are a highly motivated, self‑starting individual with a broad set of skills and never afraid of facing complex technical challenges
• You are a solution‑oriented individual with a strong analytical mindset
• You have strong communication skills and can easily tailor your communications to suit the audience
• You can adapt quickly or propose changes needed to achieve early results in a timely fashion
• You embrace challenges and take commitments and deliver results within reasonable expectations
• You are a positive team player

Required

• Experience with data acquisition devices and sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, strain gage)
• Must be able to work from procedures and drawings with minimal guidance
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, startup environment
• High School Diploma or GED
• 3+ years experience as a technician assembling electromechanical mechanisms and/or power electronic assemblies

Desired

• Proficient with hand tools, machine shop tools (Mill, Drill, Chop Saw), light fabrication and metrology tools (Caliper, Measurements Gauges)
• Experience executing tests and documenting test results
• Experience operating a forklift, lifting and rigging equipment
• Experience reading drawings for mechanical setup, torquing bolted equipment to specifications
• Understanding and use of basic electronics tools (Oscilloscope, multimeter)
• Understanding of aerospace safety, tool control, FOD, and other industry standards
• Experience working with various test lab environments

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $36-$50/hr. The compensation package will be determined by job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Additional Information

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.