Powertrain Modeling and Algorithms Intern (Summer 2026)

Joby Aviation • San Carlos, CA

2d

About The Position

Joby Aviation is seeking passionate and driven interns to join our powertrain modeling and algorithms team. Our team develops model-based algorithms for critical flight applications (e.g. range prediction), as well as model-based optimization methods for vehicle hardware architecture. In your role on our team, you’ll develop and validate models, design and test algorithms, support system level analyses and optimizations, and build and deploy related tools. It requires you to bring a strong foundational understanding of engineering first principles, an ability to quickly learn new advanced skills, and work both independently and collaboratively.

Requirements

• Has completed or is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Heading into junior or senior year of undergraduate degree or above (at time of internship)
• Available Summer 2026
• Strong understanding of the fundamentals of ODEs and numerical methods
• Experience modeling and analyzing dynamic systems (mechanical, electrical, and / or thermal)
• Proficient in Python and/or MATLAB
• Self-motivated and able to work independently (you'll be expected to complete many technical tasks with limited oversight)
• Strong collaborator and effective communicator (cross-team collaborations and relationships are critical to our success)

Nice To Haves

• Has completed or is pursuing a graduate degree in engineering
• Experience designing and analyzing controllers and observers of dynamic systems
• Expertise in lithium-ion batteries, electric motors, inverters, or similar, and knowledge of common modeling methods
• Ability to write differentiable programs and familiarity with automatic differentiation tools (CasADi, JAX, etc.)
• Knowledge of optimization algorithms and sensitivity analysis methods
• Knowledge of version control software (e.g. Git) and experience working on collaborative software projects

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate battery, motor, inverter, and/or other hardware models
• Prototype algorithms for estimating hardware state and hardware state of health using field data
• Design and support hardware test plans for informing models and algorithms
• Perform system-level sensitivity analyses and support trade studies to guide future hardware development
• Build and deploy modeling, analysis, and optimization tools

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees