Flight Test Pilot – eVTOL/CTOL (Fly‐by‐Wire)

Pilot Assessments; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 187,000 - 258,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Generous PTO

Medical insurance

401(k) match

Employee stock purchase plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Joby Aviation seeks an experienced flight test pilot to execute high-consequence flight test operations. You will plan and fly remote UAV and inhabited sorties, evaluate system performance and failure modes, and translate flight data into actionable insights to improve aircraft safety and capability.

The role requires a recognized test pilot background, 50+ flight test hours, and a valid fixed-wing/rotorcraft commercial certificate.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized long-course test pilot school, or exceptionally strong equivalent on-the-job test experience.
• At least 3 years of additional flight test experience post-training.
• Minimum 50 hours of experimental or certification flight test time as a test pilot.
• Bachelor’s degree in science or equivalent.
• Fixed Wing and/or Rotorcraft Commercial Certificate.
• Minimum 1,000 hours Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
• Strong interpersonal communication skills; proficient spoken and written English.
• Flexibility to work extended hours and travel as testing requires.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute flight tests as pilot for both remote UAV and inhabited aircraft operations.
• Perform chase-pilot duties as required to ensure safe and efficient test execution.
• Lead thorough debriefs; complete post-flight analysis, data review, and reporting.
• Drive simulator testing and development; evaluate failure modes and effects.
• Contribute to flight readiness and test safety reviews; support flight test engineering.
• Prepare test cards; provide test direction and control-room support.
• Complete documentation in accordance with company and FAA procedures.
• Perform related engineering tasks; follow all applicable laws, regulations, and established safety procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

English proficiency

Flight testing

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor of Science degree

Job description

The mission

Execute high-consequence flight test operations that drive program milestones and certification. You’ll plan and fly remote and inhabited sorties, evaluate system performance and failure modes, and turn flight data into actionable insights that make our aircraft safer, more capable, and ready for market.

What you’ll do

• Plan and execute flight tests as pilot for both remote UAV and inhabited aircraft operations.


• Perform chase-pilot duties as required to ensure safe and efficient test execution.


• Lead thorough debriefs; complete post-flight analysis, data review, and reporting.


• Drive simulator testing and development; evaluate failure modes and effects.


• Contribute to flight readiness and test safety reviews; support flight test engineering.


• Prepare test cards; provide test direction and control-room support.


• Complete documentation in accordance with company and FAA procedures.


• Perform related engineering tasks; follow all applicable laws, regulations, and established safety procedures.

What you’ll bring

• Graduation from a recognized long-course test pilot school, or exceptionally strong equivalent on-the-job test experience.


• At least 3 years of additional flight test experience post-training.


• Minimum 50 hours of experimental or certification flight test time as a test pilot.


• Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent experience and training).


• Fixed Wing and/or Rotorcraft Commercial Certificate.


• Minimum 1,000 hours Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time.


• Strong interpersonal communication skills; proficient spoken and written English.


• Flexibility to work extended hours and travel as testing requires.

Bonus points

• Both fixed-wing and rotary-wing flight test experience (principal fixed-wing experience a plus).


• AV-8 or F-35B experience; V-22 tiltrotor experience.


• FAA certification flight test experience.


• Flight instruction or test pilot school instructional experience.


• Experience with all-electric aircraft and high-voltage propulsion systems.


• Flight test DER or AR experience.

Compensation & benefits

• Base pay (target): USD $187,400 – $257,600 per year


• Equity: Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)


• Benefits: Paid time off; comprehensive healthcare; 401(k) with company match; Employee Stock Purchase Plan; short- and long-term disability; life insurance; and additional benefits.

Location & schedule

Primary base in Marina, CA with flight test activities also in Hollister, CA. Expect extended hours and travel aligned to test program needs.

Why Joby

At Joby Aviation, you’ll shape the future of sustainable air mobility while flying some of the most advanced fly-by-wire electric aircraft ever built—alongside a safety-first, mission-driven team.