Flight Research Integration Lead

Joby Aviation • Santa Cruz, CA

1d

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 efforts to produce new and novel aircraft concepts ready for testing. As the Integration Lead, you are responsible for the physical realization of our aircraft. You will bridge the gap between engineering design and the assembly floor, ensuring that every aircraft is built to a known, documented configuration.
You will start in a fast and agile environment, focusing on getting prototypes in the air, but you will be the primary architect of the transition toward higher-rigor quality standards. You will work hand-in-hand with the Airworthiness Lead to ensure that our "As-Built" records provide the data integrity required for Section 44807 operations while adapting to changes in design based on learning in the field.

Requirements

• Experience: Relevant 4 year technical degree and 7+ years or 12+ years experience in aerospace integration, production engineering, or a highly technical hardware startup environment.
• Technical Literacy: Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and CAD models to understand how systems interface.
• Systems Proficiency: Experience using PLM or ERP systems to track parts, versions, and build histories.
• Operational Agility: Proven ability to thrive in a "scrappy" R&D environment where requirements change quickly, without losing sight of the need for eventual process rigor.
• Project Management: Strong ability to track hundreds of moving parts (literally and figuratively) and report clear status updates to leadership.
• 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

• Quality Standards: Practical experience implementing ISO 9001, AS9100 or similar quality management systems in a manufacturing context.
• UAS Hardware Knowledge: Familiarity with large UAS components (high-voltage propulsion, flight controllers, GCS links, and specialized sensors).
• Inventory Management: Experience building out inventory tracking from scratch for small fleets.
• Tooling & Infrastructure: Knowledge of the tooling and shop setups required for the integration of large-scale composite or metallic airframes.

Responsibilities

• BOM Management: Collaborate with engineering teams to transform design CAD into accurate, executable Bills of Materials (BOM). Reconcile "As-Designed" vs. "As-Built" discrepancies.
• Build & Integration Oversight: Lead the physical aircraft build cycles. Organize assembly schedules, track integration progress, and resolve roadblocks on the shop floor.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Take ownership of parts availability. Work with vendors and internal procurement to ensure long-lead items and critical components are on hand to meet flight test milestones.
• Configuration Control: Generate and maintain essential data products, including aircraft riders, configuration logs, and weight/balance records.
• Serialization & Traceability: Implement and manage a tracking system for critical components (serial numbers, batch numbers, and life-limited parts) to support continued airworthiness.
• Process Evolution: Move the organization from informal prototype builds to a disciplined, industry standard aligned integration process.
• Process Development: Develop and implement work instructions and standard operating procedures for aircraft integration.
• Continuous Feedback and Collaboration: Work closely with engineering to introduce new products, improve design for manufacturing, and issue resolution.
• Airworthiness Partnership: Collaborate with the Airworthiness Lead to define the data requirements needed for flight releases, ensuring the physical hardware matches the regulatory filings.

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: Mid Level