Senior Flight Test Aircraft Engineer

Marina, CA eVTOL Full-time $144k to $193k Posted Oct 17, 2026
Apply on Joby Aviation (opens in a new tab) Sourced via careers-jobyaviation.icims.com · Posted 2026-10-17

About this role

Joby Aviation is hiring a Senior Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, full-time, on-site in Marina, CA, in the eVTOL sector.

Company 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. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

As a Senior Flight Test Aircraft Engineer, you are the technical authority assigned to the Flight Test aircraft assets. Joining Joby’s Flight Test department, you will become integral to managing the experimental S4 fleet of aircraft routinely operated for research and development, show compliance and exhibition purposes. A Flight Test Aircraft Engineer interfaces directly with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, Quality, Airworthiness and Certification teams as the representative for the aircraft to coordinate work and troubleshoot technical challenges. The Aircraft Engineer plays a critical role in the Flight Test team being responsible for controlling the aircraft configuration and directly contributes to the safety and airworthiness of the platform.

Responsibilities

Serves as the aircraft’s primary technical liaison and the interface between the Flight Test team and the supporting engineering disciplines

Responsible for approving the hardware and software configuration changes on the aircraft and maintains the master Bill of Materials (BOM) and system configuration record

Coordinates, tracks and approves all work, including modifications, performed on the assigned aircraft

Manages the configuration documentation to ensure traceability to engineering specifications

Works collaboratively with Aircraft Quality Control and Certification Engineering to maintain conformity required for FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA)

Manages the aircraft weight and balance records to produce artifacts used for dispatch

Supports conformity and certification activities by providing accurate aircraft and equipment configuration data

Facilitates resolution of cross-functional technical issues affecting the aircraft

Represents and communicates the aircraft’s status and operational/test readiness to Flight Test operations and air crew

Manages the Safety of Flight compliance status of the as-configured aircraft and systems

Technical reviewer of all open non-conformances and discrepancies for Safety of Flight implications

Provides operational support whilst the assigned aircraft is dispatched to coordinate troubleshooting and facilitate on-demand configuration changes required for specific testing

Works directly with the Airworthiness team to ensure compliance to FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate requirements and manage the associated limitations

Conducts on-aircraft functional tests as well as rigging and actuator calibration procedures

Required

Bachelor of Science (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or other technical field) degree or equivalent experience and training

Minimum of 8 years experience working in an aerospace environment

Experience working in or interfacing with aircraft maintenance, Flight Test and systems engineering functions

Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with colleagues across a wide range of technical disciplines

Exhibits strong technical leadership and ownership

Must be able to work both independently and on a team

Read and speak English proficiently

Able to accommodate required travel approximately 30% of duty

Desired

Experience as an Aircraft Manager on an experimental Flight Test Program, preferably including VTOL or STOVL and fly-by-wire platforms

Civil aircraft certification experience including use of ARP 4754 processes for requirements and FAA AC 23-8C or AC 27-1B for flight test

Familiarity with FAA Order 4040.26C

Familiarity with DO-178C and DO-160

Experience in managing a technical team and projects is highly desired

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $144,100 - $193,400/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.

Description from Joby Aviation's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.

Apply on Joby Aviation Applications go directly to Joby Aviation. Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr.

About Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation

eVTOL air taxi developer with FAA Part 135 certification and Toyota partnership. Santa Cruz, CA.

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Larry Sherwood Jr.

About Larry Sherwood Jr.

Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.

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