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Joby Aviation · 18 hours ago

Technical Program Manager, Aircraft Automation

Santa Cruz County, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$171K/yr - $228K/yr

Joby Aviation is a pioneering company focused on developing electric air taxis. They are seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead programs at the intersection of hardware technologies and autonomy development, ensuring seamless integration and certification of aircraft enhancements.

AerospaceAir TransportationElectric VehicleTransportation

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Lead Block Upgrade Planning about Aircraft Automation: Take ownership of the strategic planning and execution of aircraft enhancements through block upgrades for type-certified aircraft. This pivotal role involves driving the evolution towards higher levels of automation, ensuring these advancements are seamlessly integrated and certified. You will be responsible for developing robust frameworks in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, meticulously supporting the development and validation of requirements, and establishing comprehensive plans for regulatory certification. Furthermore, you will oversee the successful introduction and deployment of these upgrades into active field operations, monitoring performance and iterating the plan as needed

Pioneer New Solutions with Grassroots Innovation: Operate at the forefront of innovation by applying grassroots thinking and a pioneering spirit to navigate uncharted technical and operational territories as the technical program manager. This includes scoping, prioritizing, and problem-solving complex challenges with cross functional project teams from inception through aircraft certification then field introduction. A critical aspect of this role is the continuous and proactive management of project risks, coupled with significant contributions to the overall aircraft development lifecycle and the broader commercialization planning efforts

Cross-Functional Integration and Bridge-Building: Serve as an essential bridge and integrator across a wide array of critical disciplines, including research and development, hardware engineering, software development, certification, flight operations, and business development. This requires a nuanced understanding of autonomy principles, electronics hardware, avionics systems, flight control algorithms, and certification fundamentals. Throughout all activities, it is paramount to keep the overarching aircraft program outcomes central to all decision-making and strategic alignment

Proactive Risk Management, Trade-offs, and Alignment: Proactively identify and assess potential risks across various dimensions, including technology readiness levels, project scope, upgrade timing, and resource allocation. Conduct thorough trade-off analyses to inform strategic decisions and mitigate potential roadblocks. A key responsibility will be to lead structured discussions to effectively resolve conflicts, foster consensus, and ensure consistent team alignment across all phases and stakeholder groups

Process and Program Development for Scalability: Actively participate in and champion the development of scalable processes and adaptable program structures. These frameworks should be designed to effectively accommodate and facilitate the rapid pace of innovation inherent in advanced autonomy development, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and scalability

Research to Implementation for Aircraft Upgrades: Interface with autonomy teams, diligently assessing the readiness level of new technologies and concepts. Collaborate closely with engineering and operations teams to develop comprehensive implementation plans that are tightly integrated with scheduled aircraft upgrades. This ensures that all advancements meet stringent regulatory requirements, operational needs, and market demands, successfully facilitating cutting-edge research into practical, certified applications

Qualification

Program managementAutonomy/AIAerospace engineeringEmbedded systemsControlsRisk managementBuilding structureTechnical literacyExceptional communicationDecision makingTeam leadership

Required

Proven program experiences in advanced technology development– ideally autonomy, robotics, aerospace, automotive or related industries

Strong ability to manage scope, uncertainty and complexity– with a record of delivering programs where success wasn't guaranteed

Solid technical literacy in one or more areas: autonomy/AI, embedded system, controls, advanced hardware technologies such as sensing technologies, aerospace engineering

Exceptional communications skills: able to engage with executive leadership as well as technical teams, or operational mechanics

Demonstrated ability to drive decision making across stakeholders with diverse priorities

Comfortable building structure out of ambiguity while keeping teams energized and mission focused

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field