Flight Test Aircraft Engineer

Joby Aviation; California; On-site; USD 94,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Joby Aviation Inc. is seeking a Flight Test Aircraft Engineer in California to be the technical authority for the Flight Test aircraft assets.

You will collaborate across Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, Airworthiness and Certification teams to manage configurations and ensure safety and airworthiness for the S4 fleet in R&D and test missions. You will approve changes, maintain BOMs, track work, and support FAA inspections while coordinating with cross-functional teams to resolve

Qualifications

• BS degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years in aerospace environment
• Experience with aircraft maintenance, Flight Test and systems engineering
• Strong communication across technical disciplines
• Willingness to travel ~30%

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for the Flight Test aircraft and interface with engineering disciplines
• Approve hardware and software configuration changes on the aircraft and maintain the master BOM
• Coordinate, track and approve all work on the assigned aircraft
• Maintain configuration documentation for traceability to engineering specifications
• Work with Flight Test Quality Control and Certification Engineering to maintain conformity for FAA TIA
• Manage weight and balance records to support dispatch
• Provide accurate aircraft/configuration data to support testing
• Facilitate cross-functional issue resolution affecting the aircraft
• Communicate aircraft status and test readiness to Flight Test operations and crew
• Oversee Safety of Flight compliance of the as-configured aircraft
• Review open non-conformances for Safety of Flight implications
• Coordinate troubleshooting during dispatch and on-demand configuration changes
• Ensure compliance with FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate requirements
• Conduct on-aircraft functional tests and calibration procedures

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Technical leadership

Independent work

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Job description

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. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

As a Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, you are the technical authority assigned to the Flight Test aircraft assets. Joining Joby’s Flight Test department, you will become integral to managing the experimental S4 fleet of aircraft routinely operated for research and development, show compliance and exhibition purposes. A Flight Test Aircraft Engineer interfaces directly with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, Airworthiness and Certification teams as the representative for the aircraft to coordinate work and troubleshoot technical challenges. The Aircraft Engineer plays a critical role in the Flight Test team being responsible for controlling the aircraft configuration and directly contributes to the safety and airworthiness of the platform.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the aircraft’s primary technical liaison and the interface between the Flight Test team and the supporting engineering disciplines
• Responsible for approving the hardware and software configuration changes on the aircraft and maintains the master Bill of Materials (BOM) and system configuration record
• Coordinates, tracks and approves all work, including modifications, performed on the assigned aircraft
• Manages the configuration documentation to ensure traceability to engineering specifications
• Works collaboratively with Aircraft Quality Control and Certification Engineering to maintain conformity required for FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA)
• Manages the aircraft weight and balance records to produce artifacts used for dispatch
• Supports conformity and certification activities by providing accurate aircraft and equipment configuration data
• Facilitates resolution of cross-functional technical issues affecting the aircraft
• Represents and communicates the aircraft’s status and operational/test readiness to Flight Test operations and air crew
• Manages the Safety of Flight compliance status of the as-configured aircraft and systems
• Technical reviewer of all open non-conformances and discrepancies for Safety of Flight implications
• Provides operational support whilst the assigned aircraft is dispatched to coordinate troubleshooting and facilitate on‑demand configuration changes required for specific testing
• Works directly with the Airworthiness team to ensure compliance to FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate requirements and manage the associated limitations
• Conducts on-aircraft functional tests as well as rigging and actuator calibration procedures

Required

• Bachelor of Science (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or other technical field) degree or equivalent experience and training
• Minimum of 2 years experience working in an aerospace environment
• Experience working in or interfacing with aircraft maintenance, Flight Test and systems engineering functions
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines
• Exhibits strong technical leadership and ownership
• Must be able to work both independently and on a team
• Read and speak English proficiently
• Able to accommodate required travel approximately 30% of duty

Desired

• Experience as an Aircraft Manager on an experimental Flight Test Program, preferably including VTOL or STOVL and fly‑by‑wire platforms
• Civil aircraft certification experience including use of ARP 4754 processes for requirements and FAA AC 23-8C or AC 27-1B for flight test
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C
• Familiarity with DO-178C and DO-160
• Experience in managing a technical team and projects is highly desired

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $93,600 - $158,400/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.

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer