Senior Test Engineer (Actuators/Mechanical Systems)

Xwing; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

Health benefits

401(k) match

ESPP

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

Joby Aviation seeks a Senior Test Engineer to join the Testing Team in Santa Cruz, CA, focusing on validation and verification of flight-critical actuators and mechanical systems for VTOL aircraft. You will create test setups, work with multi-disciplinary teams, and develop comprehensive test plans and fixtures to ensure robust hardware performance.

The role requires hands-on testing, data analysis, and experience with LabVIEW and MATLAB/DIAdem, along with strong CAD capabilities.

Qualifications

• Experience with hardware testing in a laboratory environment.
• Electromechanical/robotics experience and familiarity with servo actuation concepts.
• Experience with verification and validation testing of mechanical/electro-mechanical systems.
• Hands-on test setup, execution with test hardware and data acquisition.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW for data collection and MATLAB/DIAdem for data processing.
• Experience in mechanical design and manufacturing drawing creation.

Responsibilities

• Create and mentor teams in creating test setups for validation and verification of aircraft hardware.
• Collaborate with Airframe, Actuators, Propulsion, Avionics, and Software teams to translate components and system architectures into representative tests.
• Develop formal test plans, procedures, instrumentation plans, fixtures, and data acquisition architectures for thorough, repeatable testing.
• Analyze data from tests to generate reports that guide hardware optimization.
• Manage project status and timelines for the Testing Team and coordinate resources to de-risk critical paths.
• Create and implement tools to maximize Testing Team productivity.
• Manage hardware needs of the Testing Team and provide recommendations for investment.

Skills

Hardware testing

Robotics

LabVIEW

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CATIA

3D CAD

Job description

Senior Test Engineer (Actuators/Mechanical Systems)

Job Locations: US-CA-Santa Cruz

ID: 2026-5420

Category: Testing

Type: Regular Full-Time

Company Overview

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

Joby Aviation is seeking a highly organized, passionate individual to join our Testing Team. As part of this team, you will perform validation and verification testing of flight-critical components and sub-systems for VTOL electric aircraft. The data collected during these tests will inform the company’s hardware design efforts and pave the way to production ready hardware.

Responsibilities

• Create, and mentor others in the creation of, test setups for validation and verification of aircraft hardware


• Work closely with the Airframe and Actuators, Propulsion and Avionics, and Software teams to capture the nuances of components, system architectures, and operating conditions, turning them into representative tests


• Develop formal test plans, test procedures, instrumentation plans, test stand/fixture designs, data acquisition architectures, and any other necessary tools to allow for thorough and repeatable testing of specimens


• Analyze data collected during tests to generate reports that provide quantifiable feedback to engineering teams allowing for hardware optimization


• Manage project status and timelines for the Testing Team and collaborate with Team Lead to ensure proper resource allocation to de-risk critical paths


• Create and implement tools to maximize Testing Team productivity


• Manage the hardware needs of the Testing Team and provide recommendations for investment

Required

• Experience with hardware testing in a laboratory environment


• Electromechanical/robotics experience and familiarity with concepts of servo actuation


• Experience performing verification and validation testing of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems


• Ability to perform hands-on tests including setting up and executing tests with test hardware and data acquisition


• Fluency using LabVIEW for data collection and DIAdem/MATLAB for data processing


• Experience with mechanical design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and manufacturing drawing creation


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with a proven ability to manage working relationships across cross-functional teams


• B.S. with 5+ years, M.S. with 3+ years relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Desired

• Experience with industrial test laboratory environments and procedures


• Experience with High Voltage systems


• Project management experience


• Experience with Dassault Systèmes CATIA, specifically using Generative Shape Design, Part Design, and Assembly Design


• Hands-on machine shop skills using lathe, mill, welder, and other equipment


• Aircraft homebuilding or rapid prototyping experience


• Experience with aircraft FAA certification processes

Compensation

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $104,400 - $183,500/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.

Additional Information

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.