NPI Program Manager, Aircraft

Joby Aviation•Marina, CA

2d•$149,500 - $185,000

About The Position

Joby Aviation is building an industry-defining aircraft, and bringing it to market requires an industry-defining approach to new vehicle introduction. We are looking for a Program Manager who wants to be at the center of that challenge, coordinating the people, processes, and decisions that turn engineering definition into a flight-ready prototype. This is a senior hands-on role for someone who understands manufacturing deeply enough to know what "ready to build" means, and who has the discipline and collaborative instincts to make it happen across a fast-moving, cross-functional team. You will be close to the build every day: tracking what is on the floor, what is blocking progress, and what the team needs next. You will own build readiness and delivery across four interconnected pillars — engineering definition, manufacturing sequencing, material, and checkout and inspection — serving as the connective tissue between engineering, quality, supply chain, and the floor.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical field — or equivalent experience gained through a manufacturing or production career
8+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or program management, with at least 3 years on vehicle development, prototype, or first-article programs
Working knowledge of vehicle assembly processes — structures, systems installation, wiring, and final assembly — sufficient to read a build sequence and understand its implications
Experience coordinating across engineering, quality, manufacturing, and supply chain teams on a shared program schedule
Familiarity with BOM and product structure management, work order systems, and non-conformance disposition processes
Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems (D365, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and production scheduling or program management tools
Demonstrated ability to track and manage material readiness, parts shortages, and supplier delivery commitments against a live build schedule
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; credible with mechanics and technicians on the floor and with senior engineering and program leadership in the room
Ability to manage multiple projects and thrive under tight timelines.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems, lean manufacturing principles, or formal build readiness review processes
Experience on an eVTOL, advanced air mobility, or clean-sheet aircraft development program through ground integration and handoff to flight test
Practical understanding of FAA or EASA airworthiness requirements as they apply to prototype or experimental aircraft builds, including the role of DARs and conformity inspection
Hands-on familiarity with on-aircraft integration testing — systems checkouts, functional verifications, and the GSE and software readiness requirements that support them
Experience with composite primary structure assembly, major join operations, or complex systems integration (hydraulics, fuel, flight controls, avionics)

Responsibilities

Partner with the configuration management and engineering teams to ensure the product structure and BOM are accurate, complete, and in a state the floor can actually build from. Flag structural gaps, phantom assemblies, or unresolved effectivity before they create downstream confusion.
Coordinate engineering support and off-aircraft activities, such as software changes, so they feed the line when the line needs them, not on their own schedule.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to optimize the aircraft final assembly sequence based on aircraft test requirements, planned deviations, and structural, dimensional, or access constraints.
Coordinate with DARs, airworthiness engineers, and quality so conformity inspection requirements are understood and planned for, and that deviations or dispositions with airworthiness implications, are appropriately approved.
Work with quality and engineering to facilitate non-conformance and issue dispositions. Escalate needed engineering changes to solve recurrent problems.
Track material readiness against its required-on-dock date and escalate supplier delays and drive substitute part approvals with engineering.