Staff Technical Program Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Front Door Defense; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 214,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

Front Door Defense is seeking a Staff Technical Program Manager for advanced manufacturing in Santa Cruz, California. This role focuses on the development and industrialization of thermoplastic composite joining technologies for aerospace structures. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in aerospace and composite manufacturing processes, including expertise in welding technologies.

This position demands strong multidisciplinary leadership and a passion for hands-on technology development. Compensation ranges from $156,000 to $214,500 plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in aerospace structures or advanced composite technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading technology development programs from concept to qualification.
• Deep knowledge of thermoplastic composites and joining technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical strategy and execution for aerospace joining technologies.
• Develop manufacturing processes for thermoplastic welding and consolidation.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to achieve program objectives.

Skills

Technical communication skills

Multidisciplinary aerospace program leadership

Understanding of thermoplastic composites

Experience with welding technologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Staff Technical Program Manager, Advanced Manufacturing

Lead the development program to industrialize thermoplastic composite joining for aerospace structures

Location: Santa Cruz, California, United States

Compensation: $156,000 - 214,500 USD / year

Job Tags: Product

About The Role

Technical Program Manager

We are seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to lead the development, maturation, and industrialization of advanced joining technologies for high-performance thermoplastic composite aircraft structures. This role will be responsible for defining and executing technology development programs focused on joining carbon fiber reinforced PEEK, PEKK, and other high-performance thermoplastic materials using welding and consolidation processes. Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, materials, and certification teams, this individual will establish robust manufacturing processes and generate the data necessary to support future aircraft structural applications. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in composite materials and joining technologies with extensive aerospace program leadership experience and a passion for hands‑on technology development.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical strategy, planning, and execution of development programs focused on thermoplastic composite joining technologies for aerospace structures.
• Develop and mature manufacturing processes utilizing resistance, induction, ultrasonic, laser, conduction, and other thermoplastic welding and consolidation methods.
• Define and execute material characterization and test programs to establish preliminary design allowables and joint performance databases across relevant loading and environmental conditions.
• Develop formal manufacturing process specifications, work instructions, qualification plans, and supporting technical documentation suitable for production and certification.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams spanning design engineering, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, testing, quality, and certification to achieve program objectives.
• Provide technical leadership in process development, fixture design, equipment selection, process controls, and manufacturability for thermoplastic composite assemblies.
• Serve as the technical interface with equipment suppliers, research organizations, universities, and industry partners supporting technology maturation.
• Drive project execution through schedule management, technical risk reduction, resource planning, milestone tracking, and executive communication.
• Remain actively engaged in laboratory and manufacturing development activities, participating directly in process development, testing, troubleshooting, and validation.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Advanced Degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience developing aerospace structures, manufacturing processes, or advanced composite technologies
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary aerospace technology development programs from concept through qualification
• Deep understanding of high-performance thermoplastic composites including carbon fiber reinforced PEEK, PEKK, PEAK, and related materials
• Extensive experience with thermoplastic joining technologies including one or more of: resistance welding, induction welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, thermal consolidation, automated joining processes
• Strong understanding of aerospace materials and process development, qualification methodologies, and certification best practices
• Experience developing manufacturing process specifications, qualification plans, and engineering standards
• Familiarity with composite structural testing, mechanical characterization, environmental conditioning, and statistical analysis of material performance
• Excellent technical communication skills with demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and communicate with executive leadership
• Willingness to work onsite in Santa Cruz, California, with significant laboratory and manufacturing floor engagement

Desired:

• 20+ years of experience developing aerospace structures, manufacturing processes, or advanced composite technologies
• Experience developing primary or secondary aircraft composite structures
• Knowledge of FAA or military certification approaches for composite structures
• Experience establishing structural design allowables and supporting certification by analysis and test
• Familiarity with automated composite manufacturing equipment, robotics, and process automation
• Experience working with research organizations, government programs, or technology maturation initiatives
• Demonstrated success transitioning emerging manufacturing technologies into production environments

Additional Information:

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $156,000 - $214,500. 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