Technical Program Manager, Aircraft Automation

XWING; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 170,600 - 227,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) plan with company match

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Job summary

Joby Aviation in San Carlos is searching for a Technical Program Manager, specializing in aircraft automation. The position involves leading program strategies, managing risks, and driving innovative solutions for advanced aerospace technology.

Candidates must have proven experience in program management within technology development, strong communication skills, and a Bachelor's degree in a technical field. The role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including stock options and healthcare provisions.

Qualifications

• Proven program experiences in advanced technology development relating to autonomy or aerospace.
• Solid technical literacy in one or more relevant areas such as controls and advanced hardware technologies.
• Exceptional communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and execution of aircraft automation enhancements.
• Innovate and problem-solve complex challenges with cross-functional teams.
• Manage risks and trade-offs effectively during project lifecycles.

Skills

Program management

Technical literacy in autonomy/AI

Exceptional communication skills

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Job description

Technical Program Manager, Aircraft Automation

Job Locations: US-CA-Santa Cruz | US-CA-San Carlos

Joby 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. Since 2009, our team has worked steadily to make this dream a reality. We’ve designed and tested many generations of prototype aircraft capable of serving in a network of electric air taxis. We’re looking for talented, committed individuals to join our team as we push onward toward certifying the Joby aircraft, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service.

Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate, driven, entrepreneurial program manager to join our team to lead programs at the intersection of hardware technologies, next‑generation aircraft systems, and autonomy development. The role requires the candidate to strive in uncertainty, can connect technical scope with aircraft upgrade strategy, and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders to bring breakthrough technologies from development to certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead Block Upgrade Planning about Aircraft Automation: Take ownership of the strategic planning and execution of aircraft enhancements through block upgrades for type‑certified aircraft. This pivotal role involves driving the evolution towards higher levels of automation, ensuring these advancements are seamlessly integrated and certified. You will be responsible for developing robust frameworks in collaboration with cross‑functional stakeholders, meticulously supporting the development and validation of requirements, and establishing comprehensive plans for regulatory certification. Furthermore, you will oversee the successful introduction and deployment of these upgrades into active field operations, monitoring performance and iterating the plan as needed.
• Pioneer New Solutions with Grassroots Innovation: Operate at the forefront of innovation by applying grassroots thinking and a pioneering spirit to navigate uncharted technical and operational territories as the technical program manager. This includes scoping, prioritizing, and problem‑solving complex challenges with cross functional project teams from inception through aircraft certification then field introduction. A critical aspect of this role is the continuous and proactive management of project risks, coupled with significant contributions to the overall aircraft development lifecycle and the broader commercialization planning efforts.
• Cross‑Functional Integration and Bridge‑Building: Serve as an essential bridge and integrator across a wide array of critical disciplines, including research and development, hardware engineering, software development, certification, flight operations, and business development. This requires a nuanced understanding of autonomy principles, electronics hardware, avionics systems, flight control algorithms, and certification fundamentals. Throughout all activities, it is paramount to keep the overarching aircraft program outcomes central to all decision‑making and strategic alignment.
• Proactive Risk Management, Trade‑offs, and Alignment: Proactively identify and assess potential risks across various dimensions, including technology readiness levels, project scope, upgrade timing, and resource allocation. Conduct thorough trade‑off analyses to inform strategic decisions and mitigate potential roadblocks. A key responsibility will be to lead structured discussions to effectively resolve conflicts, foster consensus, and ensure consistent team alignment across all phases and stakeholder groups.
• Process and Program Development for Scalability: Actively participate in and champion the development of scalable processes and adaptable program structures. These frameworks should be designed to effectively accommodate and facilitate the rapid pace of innovation inherent in advanced autonomy development, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and scalability.
• Research to Implementation for Aircraft Upgrades: Interface with autonomy teams, diligently assessing the readiness level of new technologies and concepts. Collaborate closely with engineering and operations teams to develop comprehensive implementation plans that are tightly integrated with scheduled aircraft upgrades. This ensures that all advancements meet stringent regulatory requirements, operational needs, and market demands, successfully facilitating cutting‑edge research into practical, certified applications.

Required

• Proven program experiences in advanced technology development– ideally autonomy, robotics, aerospace, automotive or related industries.
• Strong ability to manage scope, uncertainty and complexity– with a record of delivering programs where success wasn’t guaranteed.
• Solid technical literacy in one or more areas: autonomy/AI, embedded system, controls, advanced hardware technologies such as sensing technologies, aerospace engineering.
• Exceptional communications skills: able to engage with executive leadership as well as technical teams, or operational mechanics.
• Demonstrated ability to drive decision making across stakeholders with diverse priorities.
• Comfortable building structure out of ambiguity while keeping teams energized and mission focused.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

Desired

• Masters degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience in safety‑critical or regulated environments is a strong plus.
• Experiences with vertical integration, cutting‑edge technologies’ introduction.

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $170,600 - $227,500/year. 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.