Chief Pilot - Autonomy Commercial Operations

XWING; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 213,100 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Benefits package

PTO

401(k) match

Job summary

Joby Flight Research in Concord, CA, is seeking a Chief Pilot - Autonomy Commercial Operations to lead the introduction of remotely piloted Caravan aircraft within our Part 135 framework and to establish the safety and compliance foundations as we scale.

The role requires 1,200+ flight hours, strong manual development experience, and 3+ years of leadership in aviation. It involves weekly travel, US export control compliance, and a compensation package including base pay plus RSUs.

Qualifications

• Flight Experience: Minimum of 1,200 hours of flight time in accordance with 14 CFR § 135.243(c).
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in creating or modifying aviation manuals.
• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of leadership experience overseeing high-level individual contributors or other leaders in an aviation environment.
• Location & Travel: Based in Concord, CA, or Santa Cruz, CA, with weekly travel to Concord.

Responsibilities

• Establish function-level operational objectives and work plans for the remotely piloted Caravan fleet.
• Lead the creation, modification, and execution of General Operations Manuals (GOM) and Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Serve as a primary technical advisor for regulatory liaison within Part 135 operations.
• Develop team members into high-performing contributors and future leaders, upholding safety and innovation.
• Create formal networks with People, engineering, and certification teams to guide operational effectiveness.
• Apply expert judgment to solve unique issues and ensure program success.

Skills

Flight hours 1200

Leadership

Job description

Chief Pilot - Autonomy Commercial Operations

Job Locations: US-CA-Concord

Job ID: 2026-5120 | Category: Flight Research | Type: Regular Full-Time

Company Overview

Joby Flight Research designs, develops, and flight-tests novel aircraft using a software-first autonomy approach. We build and deploy autonomy, perception, planning, and radar systems across conventional, electric, and hydrogen-electric aircraft in both CTOL and VTOL configurations.

Overview

As the Chief Pilot - Autonomy Commercial Operations, you will lead the operational introduction of remotely piloted Cessna Caravans within our Part 135 framework. This is a pioneering role that requires a blend of traditional aviation expertise and the vision to integrate new technologies into highly regulated environments. You will be responsible for establishing the foundation of our flight operations by creating essential policies, procedures, and manuals that ensure safety and compliance as we scale.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Establish function-level operational objectives and work plans for the remotely piloted Caravan fleet, ensuring all activities align with Joby’s strategic goals
• Policy & Manual Development: Lead the creation, modification, and execution of General Operations Manuals (GOM) and Safety Management Systems (SMS) to meet and exceed regulatory standards
• Regulatory Liaison: Serve as a primary technical advisor for the function, navigating complex regulatory landscapes to integrate remotely piloted technology into Part 135 operations
• People Development: Develop team members into high-performing contributors and future leaders, setting and reinforcing a culture of safety, innovation, and servant leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Create formal networks with key decision-makers across the People Team, engineering, and certification departments to set the direction for operational effectiveness
• Strategic Problem Solving: Solve for unique issues and down-the-line implications across domains, applying expert judgment to ensure program success

Required

• Flight Experience: Minimum of 1,200 hours of flight time in accordance with 14 CFR § 135.243(c)
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in creating or modifying aviation manuals
• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of leadership experience overseeing high-level individual contributors or other leaders in an aviation environment
• Location & Travel: Ability to be based in Concord, CA, or Santa Cruz, CA, with a requirement for weekly travel to Concord

This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15. “US Person” includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Desired

• Regulatory Compliance: Must meet the requirements of 14 CFR § 119.71 for Chief Pilot of a non-ATP operation
• Emerging Technology: Experience with remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or advanced flight deck automation
• Operational Flexibility: Experience bringing new technologies into Part 135 or Part 121 operations
• System Thinking: A deep understanding of how flight operations integrate with broader company products and long-term strategy

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $213,100 - $245,000/yr. 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.