Loads and Dynamics Engineer

Posted 15 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
In-Office
122K-206K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Automotive • Transportation
The Role
Performs aircraft and systems loads analysis across the operational envelope, supports flight and ground testing, analyzes test data, and develops aeroelastic and aerodynamic models. The role improves simulation tools, validates analytical models, builds loads databases, and supports FAA certification documentation. Collaboration spans flight physics, airframe, systems, testing, and certification teams. The position requires on-site work in Santa Cruz or Marina, California, particularly during active flight-test periods.
Summary Generated by Built In
Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking a Loads Engineer to join our Flight Physics team during a critical phase of eVTOL aircraft development and FAA certification. This role sits at the intersection of structural loads and modeling and simulation. You will contribute directly to external loads analysis while helping advance the team's high-fidelity simulation capabilities. You will work alongside experienced loads engineers, flight test teams, and simulation specialists in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where the work you do directly shapes the certification of a new class of aircraft. This role is for an energetic, driven and curious candidate with strong fundamental skills and some experience, who wishes to continue to grow and learn, and help us bring eVTOL to the world with high safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities
  • Perform external loads analysis for aircraft and its systems across the full operational envelope
  • Directly support flight and ground testing in day-to-day test campaign operations in CA
  • Support data reduction and analysis from flight test and ground test campaigns
  • Develop and maintain various aeroelastic and aerodynamic models in support of loads derivation
  • Contribute to the development and improvement of analysis and simulation tools used by the loads team
  • Correlate and validate analytical models against experimental and flight test data
  • Support analysis and loads database development for use by structural and systems design teams
  • Contribute to FAA certification-related documentation and compliance efforts under the guidance of senior engineers
  • Collaborate across Flight Physics, Airframe, Systems, Flight Test, Ground Test and Certification teams
Required
  • Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant discipline
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in structural loads, aeroelasticity, or closely related field; strong and applicable academic project or thesis work considered
  • Solid understanding of aircraft loads fundamentals and aeroelastic principles
  • Experience with finite element or aeroelastic analysis tools (NASTRAN, Abaqus, ZONA or similar)
  • Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for analysis and automation
  • Strong first-principles problem-solving approach; ability to reason through unfamiliar problems, not just apply known methods
  • Ability to work effectively in a Linux/HPC environment
  • On-site presence required in Santa Cruz and/or Marina, CA, particularly during active flight test periods
Desired
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
  • Experience with multi-DOF flight dynamics simulations or coupled aero-structural analysis
  • Software development background; experience contributing to simulation frameworks or open-source tools
  • Familiarity with rotordynamics, rotorcraft or eVTOL aerodynamics and loads environments
  • Experience with high-performance computing for large-scale analysis
  • Experience or understanding of large-scale data mining and data science
  • Familiarity or demonstrated experience with FAR/EASA Part 23, 25, or 27 requirements
  • 1-3 years of direct loads analysis experience
Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $121,500-$206,100/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.


Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant discipline
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in structural loads, aeroelasticity, or a closely related field; strong academic project or thesis work may be considered
  • Understanding of aircraft loads fundamentals and aeroelastic principles
  • Experience with finite element or aeroelastic analysis tools such as NASTRAN, Abaqus, or ZONA
  • Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for analysis and automation
  • Strong first-principles problem-solving ability
  • Ability to work effectively in a Linux/HPC environment
  • On-site presence in Santa Cruz and/or Marina, California, particularly during active flight-test periods
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
  • Experience with multi-degree-of-freedom flight dynamics simulations or coupled aero-structural analysis
  • Software development experience contributing to simulation frameworks or open-source tools
  • Familiarity with rotordynamics, rotorcraft, or eVTOL aerodynamics and loads environments
  • Experience with high-performance computing for large-scale analysis
  • Experience or understanding of large-scale data mining and data science
  • Familiarity with FAR/EASA Part 23, 25, or 27 requirements
  • 1–3 years of direct loads analysis experience

Joby Aviation Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Joby Aviation and has not been reviewed or approved by Joby Aviation.

  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing perks are positioned as a meaningful part of the total package, including free daily meals and access to an on-site gym. These amenities are portrayed as reducing day-to-day costs and friction, making the overall rewards feel richer for some roles and sites.
  • Retirement Support — Retirement support is described as comprehensive, including a 401(k) plan with a company match. Ownership-oriented savings options like an ESPP are also included alongside retirement benefits.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is a prominent component of total rewards through RSUs and an ESPP, making upside potential a core part of compensation design. This structure is framed as especially attractive when equity is valued as part of overall pay competitiveness.

Joby Aviation Insights

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The Company
HQ: Santa Cruz, CA
946 Employees
Year Founded: 2009

What We Do

Joby is a California-based company building quiet, all-electric aircraft to connect people like never before. With up to 150 miles of range and the ability to take off and land vertically, the Joby aircraft will change the way we move while reducing the acoustic and climate footprint of flight.

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