Materials Engineer

Joby Aviation•Marina, CA

2d•$86,800 - $137,700•Onsite

About The Position

Joby Aviation is seeking a materials engineer to join our Additive Manufacturing team. You will own the full material lifecycle for AM metallic components—feedstock qualification through post-processing and failure analysis as a principal contributor to Joby's materials qualification program supporting eVTOL development, certification, and production. You are a self-starter with a strong command of microstructure-processing-properties relationships in aerospace alloys and thrive at the intersection of hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

B.S. in Materials, Metallurgical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field of study
2+ years in metallic materials characterization, processing, or manufacturing engineering
Working knowledge of metallic powder characteristics, handling, and qualification
Familiarity with one or more metal AM processes
Experience with common materials characterization techniques (e.g., microscopy, hardness, mechanical testing)
Strong written and verbal communication; able to author specs and present to cross-functional stakeholders
Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet program deadlines (onsite in Marina, CA)

Nice To Haves

M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field of study
5+ years in a controlled/certified manufacturing environment (AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent)
Hands-on with the full powder lifecycle: atomization, sieving, morphology, reuse qualification, and disposal
Practical knowledge of AM surface finishing and its effect on fatigue life and dimensional compliance
Experience with AM-specific defects: porosity, lack of fusion, keyhole voids, residual stress, and anisotropy
Familiarity with X-ray CT for AM defect and dimensional inspection
Prior experience authoring M&P specifications in regulated aerospace environments
Exposure to fatigue/fracture testing, allowables generation, or FAA certification data packages

Responsibilities

Own incoming qualification and lot acceptance of metallic feedstocks (PSD, morphology, chemistry, flowability, density)
Develop and maintain feedstock control procedures aligned with AM process requirements
Characterize powder degradation and establish reuse limits, blending protocols, and out-of-life criteria
Manage powder suppliers: acceptance specs, source approvals, and non-conformances
Define and qualify AM surface finishing: tumbling, vibratory finishing, electropolishing, chemical etching, shot peening, and precision machining
Characterize surface roughness (Ra/Rz/Sa), residual stress, and sub-surface microstructure before and after finishing
Qualify coatings and surface treatments (anodize, hard coat, conversion coating, thermal spray, PVD/CVD) for corrosion, wear, and fatigue requirements
Establish acceptance criteria and inspection methods for finished AM surfaces
Identify and qualify heat treatment processes for AM parts (stress relief, HIP, solution treat and age)
Investigate coupon- and component-level failures; perform fracture analysis and drive corrective actions
Author material and process specifications covering feedstock, build parameters, post-processing, and acceptance criteria
Support materials allowables and design-allowable data packages for FAA certification
Partner with stress, design, and quality on material inputs, qualification packages, and MRB dispositions