Staff Operational Test Pilot - Advanced Development

Socket.dev; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Joby Aviation is seeking a Staff Operational Test Pilot to serve as a senior technical authority for operational evaluations of the J208 aircraft. You will act as onboard pilot-in-command, oversee automation systems, and manage GCS operations during uncrewed missions.

The role includes leadership responsibilities for deployed evaluation teams, interfacing with customers, and translating operational feedback to engineering teams. Travel up to 50% domestically and internationally is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in engineering or aviation; 8+ years of flight test ops experience as required.
• ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating and FAA medical certification.
• Active US Security Clearance or ability to obtain one; travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Act as senior onboard pilot-in-command for J208 flight evaluations and oversee automated flight operations.
• Operate Ground Control Stations (GCS) during uncrewed evaluations and define SOPs for GCS use.
• Potentially serve as Director of Flight Operations for deployed evaluation teams.
• Present capabilities and progress to military and civil customers.
• Liaise with engineering teams to translate operational lessons into product updates.
• Lead risk management, safety evaluation, and compliance across flight testing.
• Mentor junior pilots and remote operators; travel up to 50% CONUS/OCONUS.
• Pilot in command during low-risk developmental flight testing at home station.

Skills

Pilot in Command

Flight Test Experience

Operational Aviation

Security Clearance

Travel Readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering or Aviation-related discipline

Master's degree (preferred)

ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating

Job description

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.