Flight Research Airworthiness Engineer

Joby Aviation • Santa Cruz, CA

5h • $144,100 - $247,700

About The Position

Joby Flight Research designs, develops, and flight-tests novel aircraft using a software-first autonomy approach. We build and deploy autonomy, perception, planning, and radar systems across conventional, electric, and hydrogen-electric aircraft in both CTOL and VTOL configurations.
Overview
Joby Aviation’s Flight Research team is looking for an experienced professional to lead the airworthiness strategy and processes of new and novel aircraft concepts and applications. As the Airworthiness Lead, you will be the primary architect of our flight approval strategy for a fleet of experimental large-scale Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You will navigate the complex intersection of civil and military regulatory pathways, moving our platforms from initial experimental testing through early-stage operations.
Your mission is to build robust, reusable frameworks that streamline how our engineering teams document compliance, ensuring we maintain a culture of accountability and safety. You aren’t just filing paperwork; you are defining the processes that allow us to scale.

Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Regulatory Expertise: Direct experience authoring Program Letters and Safety Checklists associated with FAA 8130.34.
• Proven Track Record: At least 5–8 years of experience in aircraft certification or airworthiness roles, specifically within the UAS or experimental aviation sector.
• Process Architecture: Demonstrated ability to build data-submission frameworks that interface effectively with engineering workflows.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable technical tasks for engineering teams.
• Agency Experience: Established experience coordinating with FAA FSDOs and/or military airworthiness authorities (e.g., US Army, Navy, or Air Force flight safety offices).

Nice To Haves

• Pathway Transition Expertise: Direct experience managing the strategic shift from Experimental R&D/Market Survey (under 14 CFR 21.191/193) toward Section 44807 exemptions for commercial/early-operational scaling.
• Technical Standards Proficiency: Deep familiarity with industry-standard certification artifacts.
• Military Airworthiness: Experience with MIL-HDBK-516C criteria and the transition of flight clearances (MFR/AWR) across different branches or ranges.
• Systems Engineering Fluency: Ability to evaluate Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) data, Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), and Ground/Flight Test plans to ensure they meet "show of compliance" requirements.
• Tooling & Frameworks: Experience using PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or Requirements Management tools (e.g., JAMA, Flow) to build repeatable airworthiness dashboards for engineering teams.
• Regulatory Diplomacy: A proven track record of working with the FAA UAS Integration Office and FSDOs, demonstrating a balance of advocacy for the company’s mission with a commitment to rigorous safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Civil Regulatory Leadership: Lead the end-to-end process for obtaining Experimental Airworthiness Certificates and Certificate of Authorizations.
• FAA Documentation & Liaison: Author and manage Program Letters and Safety Checklists in accordance with FAA Order 8130.34. Act as the primary point of contact for FSDOs and the FAA Flight Standards Emerging Technology Office. Define documentation requirements to support the targeted level of certification, ranging from concept of operations, aircraft manuals, to safety analysis.
• Strategic Roadmap: Develop and execute a transition plan from experimental pathways to Section 44807 exemptions, ensuring current processes are "future-proofed" for commercial scaling. Draft and document certification basis and means of compliance.
• Military Flight Approvals: Manage the Military Flight Release (MFR) and Airworthiness Release (AWR) processes for various service branches and military installations.
• Engineering Integration: Create and implement standardized, reusable frameworks for engineers to submit technical data, ensuring all inputs meet regulatory rigor without stifling innovation. Work with engineering teams to support decision making (overall architecture, redundancy strategy, loads, etc)
• Accountability & Compliance: Lead cross-functional teams to meet initial and continued airworthiness requirements. Hold internal stakeholders accountable for the quality and timeliness of deliverables required for flight authorization and sustainment.
• Risk Management: Evaluate technical changes to the aircraft and determine their impact on existing certifications or flight releases.

Benefits

• Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• The target base pay for this position is $144,100 - $247,700/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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level