Joby Aviation

Autonomy Embedded Engineer

Joby Aviation$136K — $202K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, or equivalent experience in embedded/test automation software with 5+ years in the industry.
  • Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, with knowledge of Git for version control.
  • Experience in building and maintaining hardware-in-the-loop automated test setups with embedded hardware integration in CI.
  • Knowledge of embedded communication protocols (CAN, UART/RS-485, I2C, SPI) for debug purposes.
  • Understanding of real-time software concepts and safety-critical systems, ensuring trustworthy testing frameworks.
  • Familiarity with build systems like Bazel and CI tools such as Buildkite or Jenkins.
  • Experience with Linux systems, particularly for deployment and debugging for embedded targets.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain automated testing infrastructure and fault injection frameworks for in-the-loop testing.
  • Create simulation infrastructure for software, hardware, and aircraft in-the-loop testing.
  • Bring up and debug physical hardware-in-the-loop rigs, ensuring alignment with real aircraft configurations.
  • Construct and enhance hardware continuous integration pipelines for flight software deployment and testing.
  • Write and manage Bazel-based C++ and Python tests, simulating sensor and actuator conditions.
  • Integrate various sensors and actuators into simulated and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
  • Triage and debug rig and CI failures, identifying and assigning issues based on reproducible scenarios.
  • Collaborate with flight test and controls engineers to transform flight behaviors into testable in-the-loop scenarios.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off and healthcare benefits.
  • Retirement savings plan with company match (401(k)).
  • Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP).
  • Short and long-term disability coverage.
  • Life insurance and additional supportive benefits.
Full Job Description
Overview

Joby's Advanced Development group is looking for an engineer to own and grow our hardware-in-the-loop and test-automation capability for novel aircraft and flight automation systems.This role is responsible for the fidelity, coverage, and reliability of the pipeline that allows us to test all new changes to our redundant compute system ahead of deployment.You will work closely with the core software team, flight controls, avionics, and flight test engineers who depend on this infrastructure.We're looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes full ownership of infrastructure the whole flight software org relies on, and consistently delivers high-impact results.

Responsibilities
  • Develop and maintain the test infrastructure, fault injection frameworks and annunciation mechanisms required for in-the-loop testing
  • Develop software in the loop, hardware in the loop and aircraft in the loop simulation infrastructure: in-the-loop scenario runner, simulated peripherals, and per mode configuration
  • Bring up, debug, and maintain the physical HITL rigs, and keep rig hardware and configuration matched to the real aircraft they stand in for
  • Build and extend hardware-CI pipelines that deploy flight software to rig hardware and run pass/fail, timing, and platform-log checks automatically, with results stored for trend tracking
  • Write and maintain Bazel-based C++ and Python scenario and unit tests, including property-based tests, that exercise the flight software against realistic sensor, actuator, timing, and network-transport conditions
  • Integrate new sensors and actuators into both the simulated and hardware-in-the-loop environments over their native buses (CAN, UART/RS-485, I2C, SPI, ARINC 429, Ethernet)
  • Triage rig and CI failures: separate simulation-fidelity gaps from rig hardware faults from real flight-software bugs, and drive each to the right owner with a reproducible case
  • Work with flight test and controls engineers to convert observed flight behavior into repeatable in-the-loop scenarios, closing the loop between flight data and pre-flight validation
Required
  • University degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a similar field; or a strong portfolio of embedded / test-automation software and 5+ years relevant industry experience

  • Strong C++ and Python, and fluency with Git

  • Experience building or maintaining hardware in the loop or comparable automated test infrastructure that runs real embedded hardware in CI

  • Working knowledge of embedded communication buses (CAN, UART/RS-485, I2C, SPI, or similar) at the level needed to debug them with a scope or logic analyzer

  • Understanding of real-time and safety-critical software concepts: deterministic fixed-rate execution, timing budgets, redundancy, and what makes a test of such a system trustworthy

  • Experience with a hermetic build system (Bazel or equivalent) and a CI system (Buildkite, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or equivalent)

  • Experience with Linux, including remote deployment and debugging on embedded Linux targets

  • A passion for clean, long-lived, and readable object-oriented software architecture. Not just working code, but code built to survive years of extension by other engineers

 

 

Desired
  • Property-based testing experience
  • Experience with pub/sub or message-bus middleware for distributed embedded software (DDS, ROS 2, or a custom transport)
  • Hands-on experience with servos, motor controllers, or other actuators on serial or CAN buses
  • Experience designing or reviewing simple electrical hardware (PCBs, harnesses, breakout boards) to support test rigs
  • Experience analyzing flight or test log data at scale (SQL, Databricks, or similar) to find regressions or derive new test cases
  • Rust experience
  • Aerospace, automotive, or robotics safety-critical industry experience

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $136,100 - $202,600/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

 

Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 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, and more.

Additional Information

About Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation is an aerospace company that is developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The company's aircraft is designed to be quiet, efficient, and environmentally friendly, and is intended to provide a faster and more convenient mode of transportation for urban commuters. Joby Aviation was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. The company has received funding from a variety of investors, including Toyota and JetBlue Technology Ventures.
Learn more about Joby Aviation
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$2 billion
Industry
Founded
2009
NASDAQ

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