Advanced Development Staff Engineer

Joby Overview

Located in Northern California, the team at Joby Aviation is driven by our goal of creating an affordable, all-electric air transportation system. 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 onwards toward certifying the Joby aircraft with the Federal Aviation Administration, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service.

Overview

The Advanced Development Staff Engineer will help lead the development and continuous improvement of composite manufacturing processes—including lay-up, curing, RTM, and autoclave techniques—for aerospace applications using advanced materials such as thermosets and thermoplastics. They will collaborate cross-functionally with design, analysis, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure material selection, tooling, and production methods meet performance, cost, and certification requirements. They will also drive innovation and operational excellence through process control, root cause investigations, and emerging technologies while managing documentation, compliance, and project execution. This role is in Marina, CA and reports directly to Advanced Manufacturing Lead.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine manufacturing processes for composite materials such as carbon fiber thermosets and thermoplastics, including lay-up, curing, resin transfer molding (RTM), and autoclave processing
• Select appropriate materials and suppliers based on performance, cost, and certification requirements for aerospace applications
• Collaborate with design, structural analysis, and quality teams to ensure composite parts meet functional specifications and regulatory compliance
• Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations for defects or performance issues in composite components or assemblies
• Implement process controls and continuous improvement strategies to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce scrap, and ensure consistency
• Oversee tooling design and development for composite part fabrication, including molds, jigs, and fixtures
• Ensure compliance with documentation requirements for traceability, certification, and manufacturing audits
• Stay up to date on emerging technologies in composite materials, automation, and sustainability to drive innovation in aircraft manufacturing
• Oversee development projects acting as project manager coordinating between internal stakeholders and external partners

Required

• BS in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering or related discipline
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in process development and performing process validations for manufacturing
• Experience in tool design design and development
• Experience in conducting failure analyses and root cause investigations
• Excellent problem solving and teamwork skills while working with cross-functional teams
• Passion for diving into the details and providing constructive feedback to the team and other cross functional teams

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $128,100 - $170,800/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.