Materials Engineer

XWING; California (MO); On-site; USD 86,800 - 137,700; Full time

Job summary

Joby Aviation seeks a Materials Engineer for its Additive Manufacturing team to own the full material lifecycle for AM metallic components, from feedstock qualification through post-processing and failure analysis. You will work at the intersection of lab work and cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced environment in Marina, CA.

Requirements include a B.S. in a related field and 2+ years in metallic materials characterization or processing; familiarity with AM processes and materials

Qualifications

• B.S. in Materials, Metallurgical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years in metallic materials characterization, processing, or manufacturing engineering.
• Working knowledge of metallic powder characteristics, handling, and qualification.
• Familiarity with one or more metal AM processes.
• Experience with common materials characterization techniques (e.g., microscopy, hardness, mechanical testing).
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to author specs and present to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet program deadlines (onsite in Marina, CA).

Responsibilities

• Powder & Feedstock Materials: Own incoming qualification and lot acceptance of metallic feedstocks; develop and maintain feedstock control procedures; characterize powder degradation and establish reuse limits; manage powder suppliers: acceptance specs, source approvals, and non-conformances.
• Surface Finishing & Post-Processing: Define and qualify AM surface finishing; characterize surface roughness, residual stress, and sub-surface microstructure; qualify coatings and surface treatments; establish acceptance criteria and inspection methods; identify and qualify heat treatment processes for AM parts.
• Specifications, Suppliers & Compliance: Investigate coupon- and component-level failures; perform fracture analysis and drive corrective actions; author material and process specifications; support materials allowables and design-allowable data packages; partner with stress, design, and quality on material inputs, qualification packages, and MRB dispositions.

Skills

Metallic materials characterization

AM processes knowledge

Materials processing

Microscopy & hardness testing

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials/Metallurgical/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

MS/PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

X-ray CT

Job description

Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking a materials engineer to join our Additive Manufacturing team. You will own the full material lifecycle for AM metallic components—feedstock qualification through post-processing and failure analysis as a principal contributor to Joby\'s materials qualification program supporting eVTOL development, certification, and production.

You are a self-starter with a strong command of microstructure-processing-properties relationships in aerospace alloys and thrive at the intersection of hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Powder & Feedstock Materials: Own incoming qualification and lot acceptance of metallic feedstocks (PSD, morphology, chemistry, flowability, density); develop and maintain feedstock control procedures aligned with AM process requirements; characterize powder degradation and establish reuse limits, blending protocols, and out-of-life criteria; manage powder suppliers: acceptance specs, source approvals, and non-conformances.
• Surface Finishing & Post-Processing: Define and qualify AM surface finishing (tumbling, vibratory finishing, electropolishing, chemical etching, shot peening, and precision machining); characterize surface roughness (Ra/Rz/Sa), residual stress, and sub-surface microstructure before and after finishing; qualify coatings and surface treatments (anodize, hard coat, conversion coating, thermal spray, PVD/CVD) for corrosion, wear, and fatigue requirements; establish acceptance criteria and inspection methods for finished AM surfaces; identify and qualify heat treatment processes for AM parts (stress relief, HIP, solution treat and age).
• Specifications, Suppliers & Compliance: Investigate coupon- and component-level failures; perform fracture analysis and drive corrective actions; author material and process specifications covering feedstock, build parameters, post-processing, and acceptance criteria; support materials allowables and design-allowable data packages for FAA certification; partner with stress, design, and quality on material inputs, qualification packages, and MRB dispositions.

Required

• B.S. in Materials, Metallurgical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field of study
• 2+ years in metallic materials characterization, processing, or manufacturing engineering
• Working knowledge of metallic powder characteristics, handling, and qualification
• Familiarity with one or more metal AM processes
• Experience with common materials characterization techniques (e.g., microscopy, hardness, mechanical testing)
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to author specs and present to cross-functional stakeholders
• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet program deadlines (onsite in Marina, CA)

Desired

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field of study
• 5+ years in a controlled/certified manufacturing environment (AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent)
• Hands-on with the full powder lifecycle: atomization, sieving, morphology, reuse qualification, and disposal
• Practical knowledge of AM surface finishing and its effect on fatigue life and dimensional compliance
• Experience with AM-specific defects: porosity, lack of fusion, keyhole voids, residual stress, and anisotropy
• Familiarity with X-ray CT for AM defect and dimensional inspection
• Prior experience authoring M&P specifications in regulated aerospace environments
• Exposure to fatigue/fracture testing, allowables generation, or FAA certification data packages

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $86,800 - $137,700/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.