Test Engineer (Actuators/Mechanical Systems)

Joby Aviation; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RSUs

ESPP

PTO

Job summary

Joby Aviation is seeking a highly organized tester to join the Testing Team, performing validation and verification of flight-critical components for VTOL electric aircraft. You will develop test plans, instrument data acquisitions, and collaborate across Airframe, Propulsion, Avionics, and Software teams to ensure representative test setups and actionable feedback.

The role requires hands-on testing, CAD proficiency, and strong analytical skills to de-risk critical paths and support

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of experience, or Advanced degree with relevant university project experience (or equivalent work experience)
• Experience with hardware testing in a laboratory environment
• Electromechanical or robotics experience, with familiarity in servo actuation concepts
• Experience performing verification and validation testing of mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Ability to perform hands‑on testing, including setting up and executing tests with test hardware and data acquisition systems
• Proficiency in using LabVIEW for data collection and DIAdem or MATLAB for data processing
• Experience with mechanical design, CAD, and manufacturing drawing creation
• Strong analytical background with excellent problem‑solving, interpersonal, and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Create, and mentor others in the creation of, test setups for validation and verification of aircraft hardware
• Work closely with the Airframe and Actuators, Propulsion and Avionics, and Software teams to capture the nuances of components, system architectures, and operating conditions to build representative tests
• Develop formal test plans, test procedures, instrumentation plans, test stand/fixture designs, data acquisition architectures, and necessary tools for thorough and repeatable testing
• Analyze data collected during testing to generate reports providing quantifiable feedback to engineering teams for hardware optimization
• Manage project status and timelines for the Testing Team and collaborate with Team Leads to ensure proper resource allocation to de-risk critical paths
• Create and implement tools to maximize Testing Team productivity
• Manage hardware needs for the Testing Team and provide recommendations for investment

Skills

Analytical thinking

Hands-on testing

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Advanced degree with relevant project experience

Tools

LabVIEW

DIAdem

MATLAB

CAD

CATIA

Data Acquisition Systems

Job description

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 highly organized, passionate individual to join our Testing Team. As part of this team, you will perform validation and verification testing of flight-critical components and sub-systems for VTOL electric aircraft. The data collected during these tests will inform the company’s hardware design efforts and pave the way to production ready hardware.

Responsibilities

• Create, and mentor others in the creation of, test setups for validation and verification of aircraft hardware
• Work closely with the Airframe and Actuators, Propulsion and Avionics, and Software teams to capture the nuances of components, system architectures, and operating conditions to build representative tests
• Develop formal test plans, test procedures, instrumentation plans, test stand/fixture designs, data acquisition architectures, and necessary tools for thorough and repeatable testing
• Analyze data collected during testing to generate reports providing quantifiable feedback to engineering teams for hardware optimization
• Manage project status and timelines for the Testing Team and collaborate with Team Leads to ensure proper resource allocation to de-risk critical paths
• Create and implement tools to maximize Testing Team productivity
• Manage hardware needs for the Testing Team and provide recommendations for investment

Required

• Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of experience, or Advanced degree with relevant university project experience (or equivalent work experience)
• Experience with hardware testing in a laboratory environment
• Electromechanical or robotics experience, with familiarity in servo actuation concepts
• Experience performing verification and validation testing of mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Ability to perform hands‑on testing, including setting up and executing tests with test hardware and data acquisition systems
• Proficiency in using LabVIEW for data collection and DIAdem or MATLAB for data processing
• Experience with mechanical design, Computer‑Aided Design (CAD), and manufacturing drawing creation
• Strong analytical background with excellent problem‑solving, interpersonal, and communication skills

Desired

• Experience with industrial test laboratory environments and procedures
• Experience with high‑voltage systems
• Project management experience
• Experience with Dassault Systèmes CATIA (specifically Generative Shape Design, Part Design, and Assembly Design)
• Hands‑on machine shop skills using a lathe, mill, welder, and other fabrication equipment
• Aircraft homebuilding or rapid prototyping experience
• Familiarity with aircraft FAA certification processes

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $90,100 - $143,500/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.

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.