Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a materials engineer to join our Additive Manufacturing team. You will own the full material lifecycle for AM metallic components—feedstock qualification through post-processing and failure analysis as a principal contributor to Joby's materials qualification program supporting eVTOL development, certification, and production.
You are a self-starter with a strong command of microstructure-processing-properties relationships in aerospace alloys and thrive at the intersection of hands-on lab work and cross-functional collaboration.
Responsibilities
Powder & Feedstock Materials
- Own incoming qualification and lot acceptance of metallic feedstocks (PSD, morphology, chemistry, flowability, density)
- Develop and maintain feedstock control procedures aligned with AM process requirements
- Characterize powder degradation and establish reuse limits, blending protocols, and out-of-life criteria
- Manage powder suppliers: acceptance specs, source approvals, and non-conformances
Surface Finishing & Post-Processing
- Define and qualify AM surface finishing: tumbling, vibratory finishing, electropolishing, chemical etching, shot peening, and precision machining
- Characterize surface roughness (Ra/Rz/Sa), residual stress, and sub-surface microstructure before and after finishing
- Qualify coatings and surface treatments (anodize, hard coat, conversion coating, thermal spray, PVD/CVD) for corrosion, wear, and fatigue requirements
- Establish acceptance criteria and inspection methods for finished AM surfaces
- Identify and qualify heat treatment processes for AM parts (stress relief, HIP, solution treat and age)
Specifications, Suppliers & Compliance
- Investigate coupon- and component-level failures; perform fracture analysis and drive corrective actions
- Author material and process specifications covering feedstock, build parameters, post-processing, and acceptance criteria
- Support materials allowables and design-allowable data packages for FAA certification
- Partner with stress, design, and quality on material inputs, qualification packages, and MRB dispositions
Required
- B.S. in Materials, Metallurgical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field of study
- 2+ years in metallic materials characterization, processing, or manufacturing engineering
- Working knowledge of metallic powder characteristics, handling, and qualification
- Familiarity with one or more metal AM processes
- Experience with common materials characterization techniques (e.g., microscopy, hardness, mechanical testing)
- Strong written and verbal communication; able to author specs and present to cross-functional stakeholders
- Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet program deadlines (onsite in Marina, CA)
Desired
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field of study
- 5+ years in a controlled/certified manufacturing environment (AS9100, NADCAP, or equivalent)
- Hands-on with the full powder lifecycle: atomization, sieving, morphology, reuse qualification, and disposal
- Practical knowledge of AM surface finishing and its effect on fatigue life and dimensional compliance
- Experience with AM-specific defects: porosity, lack of fusion, keyhole voids, residual stress, and anisotropy
- Familiarity with X-ray CT for AM defect and dimensional inspection
- Prior experience authoring M&P specifications in regulated aerospace environments
- Exposure to fatigue/fracture testing, allowables generation, or FAA certification data packages
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $86,800 - $137,700/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.
