Modeling & Simulation Flight Dynamics Engineer

Joby Aviation•Santa Cruz, CA

About The Position

Joby Aviation is developing an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The Modeling and Simulation team seeks an engineer to develop and validate flight dynamics models for the JAS4-1 program. These models support flight controls, flight testing, simulation, and certification. The role includes running tests in the flight simulator, analyzing post-flight data, correlating experimental results with models, and improving model fidelity over time. Joby values a willingness to learn across the full modeling lifecycle for a novel aircraft. The engineer will develop and refine aerodynamic and flight dynamics models for real-time simulation, performance prediction, and engineering analysis; run six-degree-of-freedom aircraft simulations for flight testing and certification; and linearize nonlinear models and validate them against baseline simulations. The role also involves interpreting flight-test, wind-tunnel, and simulator data to correlate and validate models, supporting verification and validation activities, contributing to in-house system-identification and modeling tools, and working with other engineering teams and test pilots to define and improve model accuracy. Compensation combines base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay is $121,500–$206,100 per year, with the package determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Benefits include paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, short- and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline and at least 5 years of relevant industry experience; or an advanced degree (M.S., M.Eng., or Ph.D.) and at least 2 years of relevant industry experience; equivalent practical experience is also accepted.
Strong understanding of aircraft and rotorcraft aerodynamics and flight dynamics, including equations of motion, aerodynamic coefficients, stability and control derivatives, trim, and linearization.
Experience with system-identification methods, including data fitting and regression.
Experience correlating and validating flight dynamics models against experimental data.
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and Simulink.
Experience with configuration control and management of models.
Strong problem-solving, software-debugging, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and validating six-degree-of-freedom nonlinear aircraft simulations.
Experience with experimental data processing, such as data reduction and Kalman filtering or smoothing.
Experience conducting wind-tunnel tests and using results to improve and validate simulation models.
Experience on an aviation certification program.
Experience with VTOL, rotorcraft, or tiltrotor flight dynamics.

Responsibilities

Develop and refine aerodynamic and flight dynamics models for real-time simulation, performance prediction, and engineering analysis.
Run six-degree-of-freedom aircraft simulations in support of flight testing and certification.
Linearize nonlinear models and validate them against baseline simulations.
Interpret flight-test, wind-tunnel, and simulator data to correlate and validate flight dynamics models.
Support verification and validation activities that depend on model outputs.
Contribute to Joby’s in-house system-identification and modeling tools.
Develop and improve the software methods behind modeling tools and workflows.
Work with flight controls, flight test, flight physics, and other teams to define required model accuracy.
Partner with test pilots to improve model fidelity based on simulator feedback.
Run flight simulator tests, analyze post-flight data, and improve model fidelity over time.