Lead Embedded Flight Software & Avionics

XWING; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

PTO

Job summary

Joby’s Flight Research group seeks a talented embedded software and avionics lead to guide development for new aircraft and autonomy applications. The role blends hands-on coding with light leadership to keep the team productive and aligned with integration paths.

You will mentor a small cross‑functional team, shape architecture choices, and drive test frameworks, HWIL/STIL testing, and tool decisions, while delivering robust, safety-critical systems for agile programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in a related field plus 8 years experience or Master's in related field plus 6 years experience.
• Proven ability to balance leadership, management, and direct technical contribution in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong background in real-time, safety-critical embedded software development.
• Experience developing and integrating fit-to-purpose compute solutions.
• Experience with hardened/real time Linux platforms.
• Expert-level in C++, Python, and Git.
• Track record of bringing complex products to market.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and execution of embedded flight software and compute solutions for new aircraft and autonomy applications.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship for a small multi-disciplinary team (embedded, electrical, avionics).
• Drive software trade studies, architecture choices, and tool decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on milestone execution, vehicle bring-up, and integration.
• Contribute to software architecture and codebase while supporting robust, reliable solutions.
• Design and drive development of embedded systems test frameworks including automated testing and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Skills

C++

Python

Git

Real-time embedded

Hardened Linux

Leadership

Safety-critical

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Bazel

Rust

Job description

Joby’s Flight Research group seeks a talented embedded software and avionics lead to guide development for new aircraft and autonomy applications. The role blends hands-on coding with light leadership to keep the team productive and aligned with integration paths.

You will mentor a small cross‑functional team, shape architecture choices, and drive test frameworks, HWIL/STIL testing, and tool decisions, while delivering robust, safety-critical systems for agile programs.