R&D Technician

Xwing; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

RSUs and stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Joby Aviation is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented R&D Technician to join our Flight Research team in Watsonville, CA. The role supports build, integration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and test of electrical and electro‑mechanical systems used across aircraft, labs, test assets, and flight research activities.

The ideal candidate is experienced, able to interpret drawings, and can mentor other technicians while maintaining safety and quality.

Qualifications

• 6+ years hands-on experience building and troubleshooting complex electromechanical hardware in aerospace or similar low-volume prototypes.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to work from incomplete and evolving engineering definitions and make sound decisions.
• Strong problem-solving; isolate faults from symptoms rather than from procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Excellent mechanical craftsmanship and attention to detail on flight hardware.
• Self-directed and comfortable being the most experienced technician on the floor.
• Strong verbal and written communication; interface with engineers continually.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs unassisted and perform hands-on work in tight spaces.
• Distinguish wire colors and component markings.
• Willingness to support extended hours or weekend schedules as needed.
• Occasional travel for test site support, <10%.

Responsibilities

• Build, install, and integrate mechanical and electrical systems on a prototype aircraft.
• Fabricate brackets, fixtures, and tooling using manual machining, welding, sheet metal, and additive.
• Fabricate, route, clamp, and terminate wire harnesses; troubleshoot continuity, shorts, grounding, and connector faults.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and integrated systems issues on the vehicle and drive to root cause with engineering.
• Work directly from CAD, drawings, and engineer direction, typically ahead of fully released definition.
• Identify interferences, fit issues, and design problems during install; propose fixes to engineering.
• Support systems checkout, functional testing, and ground test operations.
• Maintain tool control, FOD discipline, and a safe, organized work area.

Skills

Electromechanical assembly

Troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Reading wiring diagrams

Independent work

Verbal and written communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD

Job description

R&D Technician

Job Locations: US-CA-Watsonville

Category: Flight Research

Type: Regular Full-Time

Company Overview

Joby Flight Research designs, develops, builds, 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

Joby Aviation is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented R&D Technician to join our Flight Research team in Watsonville, CA. This role will support the build, integration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and test of electrical and electro‑mechanical systems used across Joby’s aircraft, labs, test assets, and flight research activities.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast‑paced R&D environment, can interpret engineering drawings and schematics, and enjoys collaborating directly with engineers, pilots, test teams, and technicians. This position is intended for a senior level technician who can work independently, support complex builds and test setups, and help mentor other technicians while maintaining a strong focus on safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Build, install, and integrate mechanical and electrical systems on a prototype aircraft
• Fabricate brackets, fixtures, and tooling as needed to keep the build moving, using manual machining, welding, sheet metal, and additive
• Fabricate, route, clamp, and terminate wire harnesses; troubleshoot continuity, shorts, grounding, and connector faults
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and integrated systems issues on the vehicle and drive to root cause with engineering
• Work directly from CAD, drawings, and engineer direction, typically ahead of fully released definition
• Identify interferences, fit issues, and design problems during install and bring engineering a proposed fix, not just a problem
• Support systems checkout, functional testing, and ground test operations
• Maintain tool control, FOD discipline, and a safe, organized work area

Required

• 6+ years hands‑on experience building and troubleshooting complex electromechanical hardware in aircraft, spacecraft, motorsport, robotics, or a comparable low‑volume prototype environment
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to work from incomplete and evolving engineering definition: make sound decisions with partial information, recognize what is missing, and close it out with the responsible engineer
• Strong technical problem solving; able to isolate a fault from symptoms rather than from a procedure
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams
• Excellent mechanical craftsmanship and attention to detail on flight hardware
• Self‑directed and comfortable being the most experienced technician on the floor
• Strong verbal and written communication; you will interface with engineers continuously
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs unassisted, and to perform hands‑on work that may include standing, bending, reaching, stooping, crawling, and working in tight spaces
• Ability to distinguish wire colors and component markings
• Willingness to support occasional extended hours, weekend work, or off‑nominal test and flight research schedules as needed
• Occasional travel for test site support, less than 10%

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

• Manual mill and lathe
• Welding, TIG preferred, on aluminum, steel, and/or titanium
• Wire harness fabrication and troubleshooting: crimping, potting, MIL‑spec connectors
• FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license
• Additive manufacturing experience, including design for print
• CAD proficiency in any package; able to model simple parts and fixtures
• Sheet metal layout, forming, and punch work
• Fluid and pneumatic system assembly: tube bending, AN/MS fittings, proof and leak checks
• Torque‑critical and safety‑of‑flight assembly practice
• Instrumentation installation: thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure transducers
• High voltage safety awareness and experience around energized systems
• Rigging, hoisting, and handling of large assemblies
• Prior NPI, R&D, flight test, or experimental aircraft experience
• Composite layup, bonding, and repair

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $48-$57/hr. 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