Simulation Software Engineer

Joby Aviation • Santa Cruz, CA

3h

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.
The Flight Research team at Joby is seeking a highly capable simulation software engineer with deep expertise in aircraft flight dynamics and scientific computing. This role is a unique opportunity to apply modern C++ and Python to cutting-edge aircraft modeling problems from simulating novel aircraft configurations to solving challenging dynamics and control problems that have no playbook.You’ll join a small, tightly integrated team responsible for the development of simulation software and dynamic models used across Joby’s autonomy developments, research and development efforts. Ideal candidates are exceptional problem solvers, comfortable operating at the intersection of software, physics, and math, and excited by the opportunity to invent new methods when existing ones fall short.We value curiosity, initiative, and the ability to work independently while collaborating deeply with adjacent teams in GNC, aircraft design, and flight software.

Requirements

• An advanced degree (PhD/MS/MEng) in a related discipline or 2+ yrs industry experience.
• Fundamental and expert-level understanding of ordinary, stochastic, and partial differential equation solving techniques.
• Expert-level knowledge and experience with reduced order modeling technique selection based on the requirements of different applications.
• Familiarity and proficiency with C++ and Python.
• Proficiency with professional software practices.
• This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15. “US Person” includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing multi-body dynamics simulation models
• Experience developing multi-agent simulation models
• Experience with Git/GitHub

Responsibilities

• Develop multi-agent aircraft fleet simulation infrastructure that automatically adapts model fidelity based on the state of the simulation.
• Design and implement multi-fidelity flight dynamics models for novel aircraft using modern C++ and Python.
• Develop modular simulation physics components, including models for aerodynamics, actuators, sensors, and environmental effects.
• Contribute to both offline and real-time simulation frameworks used for controls and fleet orchestration development, regression testing, and pilot-in-the-loop evaluation.
• Apply numerical methods to solve estimation, simulation, and control problems in support of aircraft research.
• Collaborate with flight control engineers, simulation developers, and airframe designers to align software architecture with aircraft requirements.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior