Flight Research GNC Test & Development Engineer

Joby Aviation • Santa Cruz, CA

3h

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 a motivated early-career GNC engineer to support the development and flight testing of new aircraft configurations. This is a hybrid development-and-test role: you'll write and maintain flight controls software and analysis tools, and you'll help plan, execute, and learn from flight tests on real hardware. We are a small, agile team. You'll get broad exposure, meaningful responsibility, and close mentorship from senior engineers. The ideal candidate is someone who wants to understand the full loop from algorithm design through simulation, integration, flight test, and data analysis.

Requirements

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (MS preferred).
• Solid understanding of aircraft dynamics and classical/modern control theory (state-space methods, stability analysis, PID and LQR design).
• Proficiency in C++ and Python; comfort working in a codebase with other engineers.
• Familiarity with simulation environments for dynamic systems (e.g., Simulink, custom C++ sims, or similar).
• Strong attention to detail and a systematic approach to debugging and testing.
• Eagerness to work hands-on with hardware and in a flight-test environment.
• This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15. “US Person” includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Nice To Haves

• Experience (academic or professional) with real-time or embedded software.
• Exposure to flight test operations, data acquisition, or instrumentation.
• Familiarity with system identification techniques or frequency-domain analysis.
• Experience with signal processing fundamentals.
• Any hands-on experience with UAVs, subscale flight vehicles, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.
• Familiarity with version control (Git) and collaborative software development practices.

Responsibilities

• Write and maintain flight controls software (C++) for VTOL and CTOL research aircraft under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Support the development and use of stability and performance analysis tools (C++/Python) for open-loop and closed-loop evaluation.
• Help formulate and execute flight-test plans, including defining test points, success criteria, and data collection requirements.
• Directly support flight testing of various aircraft platforms as a crew member in a remote ground station.
• Analyze flight data post-test to assess controls performance, identify anomalies, and feed findings back into the development cycle.
• Collaborate closely with the software & controls team on design, code review, and integration of GNC solutions.

Benefits

• 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: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees