Autonomous Aircraft Program Chief Engineer

Joby Aviation•Concord, CA

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. Overview Joby Aviation’s Flight Research Division is seeking an aerospace leader to serve as Chief Engineer for an autonomous aircraft project. This role is responsible for technical and safety adequacy of the program and accountable for regulatory compliance for both civil and defense applications. The Chief Engineer partners closely with department leadership and serves as a key member of program leadership, driving technical strategy, execution quality, and cross-functional alignment from concept through validation, certification, and operational deployment.

Requirements

BS in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (MS/PhD preferred).
12+ years of aerospace engineering experience, including significant leadership in safety-critical aircraft systems.
Demonstrated ownership of complex air vehicles and systems, preferably with a focus on autonomy or highly automated flight systems through development and test.
Deep knowledge of aircraft/system development lifecycle, requirements management, and verification/validation practices.
Strong experience with certification/compliance frameworks relevant to civil aviation; working knowledge of defense airworthiness/compliance environments.
Proven track record leading cross-functional technical teams and influencing executive-level decisions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to represent technical positions to internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Prior Chief Engineer, Technical Fellow, or equivalent program-level technical authority experience.
Experience with uncrewed/supervised autonomy operations and associated operational approvals.
Familiarity with standards/processes such as ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160, and related guidance.
Experience engaging with regulators, DER/ODA structures, military airworthiness authorities, or equivalent.
Background in both R&D flight programs and productization/certification pathways.

Responsibilities

Own technical authority for the program, including architecture, integration strategy, and safety case maturity.
Ensure technical and safety adequacy against program goals, milestones, and mission performance requirements.
Lead system-level trade studies across avionics, software, GNC, flight test, and operations with a focus on certifiability, reliability, scalability, and program speed.
Oversee safety analyses and risk management activities (e.g., FHA/SFHA/FMEA and equivalent program safety processes).
Chair major technical reviews and drive closure of critical technical risks and integration issues.
Account for regulatory compliance across civil and defense pathways, including planning and execution of certification/compliance artifacts.
Direct development and review of requirements, verification/validation plans, and airworthiness evidence.
Partner with Program Management, Flight Test, Certification, and functional leads to maintain alignment on scope, schedule, and technical readiness.
Mentor senior engineers and cultivate strong engineering rigor, accountability, and decision quality across teams, while balancing programs’ need for rapid execution.