Joby Aviation

Staff Operational Test Pilot - Advanced Development

Joby Aviation$213K — $273K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or aviation, with 8+ years of operational flight test experience, or equivalent practical experience
  • ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
  • Extensive Pilot in Command experience in operational flight test or tactical operations
  • Ability to maintain an FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
  • Active US Security Clearance, or ability to obtain one post-hire
  • Willingness to travel around 50% domestically and internationally

Responsibilities

  • Act as senior onboard pilot-in-command for J208 flight evaluations, overseeing automated flight operations
  • Operate Ground Control Stations (GCS) during uncrewed missions and develop standard operational procedures
  • Serve in flight operations leadership roles, potentially as Director of Flight Operations
  • Present product capabilities and operational progress to military and civil customers
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to translate operational feedback into product improvements
  • Lead operational risk management and safety evaluations in flight testing environments
  • Mentor junior pilots and operators during up to 50% travel, both CONUS and OCONUS

Benefits

  • Paid time off
  • Healthcare benefits
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage
  • Life insurance
Full Job Description
Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking a Staff Operational Test Pilot to serve as a senior technical authority for operational evaluations of the J208 aircraft (a Cessna Caravan integrated with Superpilot autonomy technology). Reporting to the Operational Evaluation Deployment Lead, this role acts as onboard pilot-in-command overseeing automation systems, operates the Ground Control Station during uncrewed missions, and may serve as the Director of Flight Operations for deployed missions. You will act as a primary interface to prospective and current customers while translating operational evaluations into critical requirement feedback for developmental engineering teams.

Responsibilities
  • Act as senior onboard pilot-in-command for J208 flight evaluations, maintaining complete authority over automated flight operations in complex environments
  • Operate Ground Control Stations (GCS) during uncrewed operational evaluations and define standard operating procedures for GCS interaction
  • Serve in flight operations leadership capacities (including potential designation as Director of Flight Operations) for deployed evaluation teams
  • Present product capabilities and operational progress to prospective and current military and civil customers
  • Partner directly with developmental engineering and software teams to establish systemic feedback loops, translating operational lessons learned into product updates
  • Lead operational risk management, safety evaluation, and compliance frameworks across deployed flight testing environments
  • Mentor junior operational test pilots and remote operators while traveling up to 50% CONUS/OCONUS
  • Act as pilot in command during low-risk developmental flight testing at home station
Required
  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or aviation-related discipline with 8+ years of relevant operational flight test experience, Master’s degree with 6+ years, or equivalent practical experience
  • ASEL Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
  • Extensive experience as Pilot in Command in operational flight test, tactical flight operations, or advanced technology evaluations
  • Ability to hold and maintain a FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate
  • Active US Security Clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance post-hire
  • Willingness and ability to travel roughly 50% domestically (CONUS) and internationally (OCONUS)

 

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.

Desired
  • Prior assignment as a Director of Flight Operations, Chief Pilot, or Military Flight Commander
  • Direct operational or flight test experience in Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft or turboprop platforms
  • Extensive experience integrating autonomous flight control systems, UAS Ground Control Stations, or human-on-the-loop technologies
  • Experience with military aviation
  • Experience as an operational test pilot

 

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $213,100 - $273,200/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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