Sr/Staff Automation Controls Engineer

Joby Aviation Inc; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Life insurance

Job summary

Joby Aviation Inc in San Carlos, CA seeks a Senior/Staff Automation Controls Engineer to develop electromechanical manufacturing equipment for aircraft assembly and testing. You will design PLC software, create HMIs, and produce electrical design packages in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

Requires strong Structured Text PLC skills, electrical panel design, and wiring experience; familiarity with Beckhoff, EtherCAT, and Cognex vision is a plus. Competitive salary and RSU benefits available.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field with 6+ years of experience developing automation controls in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in structured text PLC programming
• Strong foundation in electrical panel design and component selection
• Proficiency in electrical schematic authoring
• Hands-on experience building and wiring electrical panels for assembly and/or test equipment

Responsibilities

• Own the electromechanical, software, and commissioning aspects of custom manufacturing equipment development, partnering with manufacturing engineers and manufacturing test engineers to bring assembly and test processes to production
• Design and develop scalable PLC software in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3), creating reusable libraries and standardized software components
• Develop intuitive and maintainable HMIs for machine operation, diagnostics, and maintenance
• Create complete electrical design packages, including component selection, electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring documentation, and bills of materials

Skills

Structured Text PLC programming

Electrical panel design

Electrical schematic authoring

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Industrial communication protocols

HMI development

Python/C/C++/C#/VB.NET

FANUC robots

AutoCAD Electrical

Cognex vision

NEC/NFPA knowledge

Automation controls in manufacturing

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

TwinCAT

AutoCAD Electrical

Ignition Perspective

FANUC robotics

Cognex vision systems

Job description

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 Senior/Staff Automation Controls Engineer to make the machines that make our aircraft. As part of this team located in San Carlos, CA, you will develop custom manufacturing equipment to assemble and test the Joby S4 aircraft. This role combines software, electrical hardware, robotics, and engineering fundamentals to make electromechanical workstations come to life. The role requires strong analytical capability in electrical control design, a broad knowledge of available controls components and sensors, industrial software, and validation in a manufacturing environment. We’re looking for an individual who excels in hands‑on environments and engages broad responsibility on novel technical challenges. Come help us build advanced powertrain and electronics manufacturing equipment as we transform transportation.

Responsibilities

• Own the electromechanical, software, and commissioning aspects of custom manufacturing equipment development, partnering with manufacturing engineers and manufacturing test engineers to bring assembly and test processes to production
• Design and develop scalable PLC software in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3), creating reusable libraries and standardized software components
• Develop intuitive and maintainable HMIs for machine operation, diagnostics, and maintenance
• Create complete electrical design packages, including component selection, electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring documentation, and bills of materials

Required

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field with 6+ years of experience developing automation controls in a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in structured text PLC programming
• Strong foundation in electrical panel design and component selection
• Proficiency in electrical schematic authoring
• Hands‑on experience building and wiring electrical panels for assembly and/or test equipment

Desired

• Experience programming Beckhoff PLCs using Structured Text (IEC 61131-3/TwinCAT), Python, C, C++, C#, and/or Visual Basic .NET
• Experience with EtherCAT, TCP/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP, and other common industrial communication protocols
• Experience with Ignition Perspective
• Proficiency with FANUC robots
• Familiarity with motion control using Bosch Rexroth and/or Beckhoff platforms
• Experience designing electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical
• Experience with industrial vision systems, including Cognex, FANUC iRVision, and Keyence
• Experience selecting and integrating precision sensors, DAQs, and instrumentation
• Experience integrating PLCs, SCADA, and MES systems
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, NFPA 70E, and UL 508A requirements for industrial control systems

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $131,700 - $213,100/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