Staff Operational Test Pilot - Advanced Development

Xwing; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with match

RSUs

Employee stock purchase plan

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Joby Aviation is seeking a Staff Operational Test Pilot to lead operational evaluations of the J208 aircraft with autonomy technology. You will serve as onboard PIC, oversee automation, and coordinate with engineering teams to feed back lessons learned for product updates.

You will present capabilities to military and civil customers, manage safety and risk, and travel up to 50% domestically and internationally as required. This is a senior role requiring strong leadership and regulatory acumen.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or aviation-related discipline with 8+ years of relevant operational flight test experience, Master’s degree with 6+ years, or equivalent practical experience
• ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
• Active US Security Clearance or ability to obtain one

Responsibilities

• Act as senior onboard pilot-in-command for J208 flight evaluations with authority over automated flight operations
• Operate Ground Control Stations (GCS) during uncrewed evaluations and define standard operating procedures for GCS interaction
• Serve in flight operations leadership capacities (including potential designation as Director of Flight Operations) for deployed evaluation teams
• Present product capabilities and operational progress to prospective and current military and civil customers
• Partner directly with developmental engineering and software teams to establish feedback loops from operational lessons learned into product updates
• Lead operational risk management, safety evaluation, and compliance frameworks across deployed flight testing environments
• Mentor junior operational test pilots and remote operators while traveling up to 50% CONUS/OCONUS
• Act as pilot in command during low-risk developmental flight testing at home station

Skills

Pilot in command

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or aviation

Master's degree in engineering or aviation

Job description

Staff Operational Test Pilot - Advanced Development

Job Locations US-CA-Concord

ID 2026-5399

Category Flight Research

Type Regular Full-Time

Company Overview

Joby Advanced Development designs, develops, 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 Staff Operational Test Pilot to serve as a senior technical authority for operational evaluations of the J208 aircraft (a Cessna Caravan integrated with Superpilot autonomy technology). Reporting to the Operational Evaluation Deployment Lead, this role acts as onboard pilot-in-command overseeing automation systems, operates the Ground Control Station during uncrewed missions, and may serve as the Director of Flight Operations for deployed missions. You will act as a primary interface to prospective and current customers while translating operational evaluations into critical requirement feedback for developmental engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as senior onboard pilot-in-command for J208 flight evaluations, maintaining complete authority over automated flight operations in complex environments
• Operate Ground Control Stations (GCS) during uncrewed operational evaluations and define standard operating procedures for GCS interaction
• Serve in flight operations leadership capacities (including potential designation as Director of Flight Operations) for deployed evaluation teams
• Present product capabilities and operational progress to prospective and current military and civil customers
• Partner directly with developmental engineering and software teams to establish systemic feedback loops, translating operational lessons learned into product updates
• Lead operational risk management, safety evaluation, and compliance frameworks across deployed flight testing environments
• Mentor junior operational test pilots and remote operators while traveling up to 50% CONUS/OCONUS
• Act as pilot in command during low-risk developmental flight testing at home station

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or aviation-related discipline with 8+ years of relevant operational flight test experience, Master’s degree with 6+ years, or equivalent practical experience
• ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
• Extensive experience as Pilot in Command in operational flight test, tactical flight operations, or advanced technology evaluations
• Ability to hold and maintain a FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
• Active US Security Clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance post-hire
• Willingness and ability to travel roughly 50% domestically (CONUS) and internationally (OCONUS)

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

• Prior assignment as a Director of Flight Operations, Chief Pilot, or Military Flight Commander
• Direct operational or flight test experience in Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft or turboprop platforms
• Extensive experience integrating autonomous flight control systems, UAS Ground Control Stations, or human-on-the-loop technologies
• Experience with military aviation
• Experience as an operational test pilot

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $213,100 - $273,200/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.