Test Technician - Airframe & Actuators Test

Joby Aviation•Santa Cruz, CA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our Testing Team as a Test Technician. This role is responsible for the assembly, operation, troubleshooting, and decommissioning of test stands and test equipment, including mechanical and structural setup, instrumentation installation, wiring, and operation of data acquisition equipment. The Test Technician will work with engineers to resolve issues with test and data acquisition equipment. The test technician works in the testing facility and is often hands-on with aerospace flight hardware; attention to detail and a focus on safety are required at all times. This role interacts with engineers and technicians from multiple cross-functional teams, communicating test status and needs to leadership and internal customers, and serving as the focal point for the commissioning and operation of complex test stands.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required
3+ years of experience as a technician assembling electromechanical mechanisms and/or power electronic assemblies
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment
Hands-on experience with a broad range of connector types, termination methods, wire splicing, and wire gauges, including heat-shrink tubing, braiding, shielding, and connector types (e.g., MIL-Spec, Molex, JST)
Strong soldering and wire splicing skills
Familiarity with working safely around High Voltage (HV) systems
Experience working with data acquisition (DAQ) devices and various sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, and strain gauges)
Ability to use digital multimeters (DMMs), continuity testers, and hi-pot testers to verify circuit integrity and troubleshoot shorts or open circuits
Demonstrated proficiency in reading and interpreting wiring schematics, electrical diagrams, and technical drawings with minimal guidance
Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles
Basic computer skills to input production data, access digital work instructions, or operate computerized testing equipment
High attention to detail for color-coding, wire routing, and inspecting assemblies to prevent testing errors
Ability to self-start and execute tasks effectively from written procedures and drawings with minimal supervision
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with the engineering team
Deep understanding of aerospace safety, tool control, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention, and other industry-standard practices
Self-sufficient and highly reliable; proven ability to own tasks from start to finish with minimal oversight
Excels in a fast-paced lab environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines
Exceptional attention to detail, especially when executing high-stakes or repetitive tasks

Nice To Haves

Proficient with hand tools, machine shop equipment (mill, drill press, chop saw), and metrology tools (calipers, measurement gauges)
Experience reading mechanical drawings for test setups, including torquing bolted equipment to engineering specifications
Solid understanding of basic electronics tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters)
Experience operating forklifts and lifting and rigging equipment
Prior experience in both test lab and production environments
Well-rounded and comfortable shifting between electrical, mechanical, and general test support work

Responsibilities

Assembly and operation of test stands using engineering drawings and models
Light metal fabrication and machining (milling, drilling, cutting, and grinding)
Assembly of large metallic bolted and welded structures
Setting up hydraulic and pneumatic actuation systems
Installation of electromechanical components such as valves, motors, and switches
Operating a forklift to move heavy equipment
Setting up video cameras to collect test footage
Tracking, calibrating, and controlling tools, instruments, equipment, and raw materials
Installation of instrumentation according to engineering drawings, including verifying instrumentation locations, soldering and splicing wire connections, and checkout and troubleshooting of instruments at the test stand (load cells, displacement sensors, strain gauges, transducers, etc.)
Using digital and analog instruments to collect and report test data
Mentoring others in instrumentation installation
Support multiple projects and engineers with fixture design, assembly, test execution, and troubleshooting
Test the hardware of our next-generation eVTOL aircraft
Develop, fabricate, and assemble one-off test fixtures, electromechanical systems, and custom wire harnesses from drawings and CAD models
Procure necessary hardware and tools per engineering documents, and submit redlines for any required changes
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, managing tool control, equipment calibration, inventory, and safety best practices
Diagnose and resolve mechanical issues and test setup anomalies to keep active test campaigns running smoothly
Build and terminate connectors (including LEMO, Amphenol, Mini-Fit/Micro-Fit) and perform wire splicing using crimp and solder techniques based on electrical schematics
Execute routine and active test campaigns with unwavering accuracy and attention to detail