Staff Flight Test Engineer

XWING; California (MO); On-site; USD 173,700 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Comprehensive healthcare benefits

Job summary

XWING is looking for a Staff Flight Test Engineer in California to lead technical flight test programs. The successful candidate will manage the flight test team, analyze data, and develop test strategies for experimental aircraft.

With a required background in aerospace engineering and over 10 years of experience in flight testing, this role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including RSUs and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer.
• Ability to work independently and in teams, and travel as required.
• Proficient in reading and speaking English.

Responsibilities

• Manage the flight test program, providing mentorship to junior engineers.
• Collaborate with the Flight Test team to improve testing processes.
• Analyze flight test data to support aircraft design and certification.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical and analytical skills

Data analysis using Matlab or Python

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Matlab

Python

Job description

Staff Flight Test Engineer

Job Locations: US‑CA‑Marina

Job ID: 2026‑4779 • Category: Flight Test • 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 passionate and driven Staff Fight Test Engineer to join our flight test team. This role presents a unique opportunity to be a technical leader in a broad scope of the flight test program. Utilizing a wide range of knowledge and skill you’ll be intimately involved in day‑to‑day operation such as developing detailed flight test plans for experimental CTOL/VTOL fly‑by‑wire aircraft, executing testing as a crewmember, and analyzing test data. The role involves developing flight test program strategies as well as execution of both development and certification flight tests. The successful candidate may be given an opportunity to lead a team of flight test engineers. Flight testing at Joby Aviation is very fast‑paced, and we are looking for an individual who can work with system designers to develop test procedures, deal with frequently changing test scenarios, and lead/follow effectively. Previous experience and/or training as a Flight Test Engineer is required. While the flight test team is based in Marina, CA, opportunities exist for various deployment missions around the world.

Responsibilities

• As a technical leader, manage the flight test program in the assigned technical/operational areas.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior flight test engineers in the assigned technical area.
• Collaborate with leads in the Flight Test team to implement/improve flight test processes.
• Develop test programs to strategically expand the envelope and capabilities of our vehicles from experimental development through certification flight test.
• Perform flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, flight briefs/debriefs, act as a crewmember during test execution and perform post‑flight data analysis.
• Conduct engineering analysis of flight test data to support aircraft design and certification deliverables.
• Coordinate with other engineering groups to ensure input from subject matter experts informs test planning and test execution.
• Work as a member of the flight crew including monitoring data in real time to assure safety and proper conduct of flight tests.
• Report on completed tests including reporting any observed deficiencies and findings of compliance with requirements or regulations.
• Advise the flight test pilot of the nature of the data to inform real‑time decisions affecting safety, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop expert‑level knowledge of the systems and aircraft under test.
• Complete administrative work associated with testing including configuration management, squawk reporting, flight limitation management and test card creation.
• Assist with troubleshooting and root‑cause investigation of issues observed during flight testing.
• Develop flight manuals and supporting documentation necessary to operate the vehicles in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

Required

• Bachelor of Science (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or other technical field) degree or equivalent experience and training.
• A minimum of 10 years of experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Must be able to work both independently and on a team and be able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Read and speak English proficiently.
• At least 30% travel required.

Desired

• Experience in managing a technical team.
• FTE graduate of a recognized test pilot school or equivalent, or on‑the‑job experience.
• Data analysis experience using Matlab, Python or similar.
• Civil aircraft certification experience including use of ARP 4754 processes for requirements and FAA AC 23‑8C or AC 27‑1B for flight test.
• Experimental flight test experience as a Flight Test Engineer, preferably including VTOL or STOVL and fly‑by‑wire.
• Flight Analyst DER or ODA Unit Member.
• Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $173,700 - $219,000/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 Aviation is an equal opportunity employer.