Flight Research Systems Engineer

Joby Aviation Joby Aviation · Robotics · Concord, CA · Systems Engineering

Joby Aviation is seeking a Flight Research Systems Engineer to own the architecture, integration, and life-cycle success of avionics systems, particularly focusing on autonomy systems. This role involves requirements management, development, certification, and entry into service, requiring close collaboration with Software, Hardware, and GNC teams. The position emphasizes systems engineering concepts, safety and reliability analyses, and experience with safety-critical vehicle development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the definition and management of system-level requirements and traceability. You don’t just write requirements; you define the hierarchy and validation methods using tools like Jama, Polarion, or Flow.
  2. Evaluate architectures and specific component options against considerations such as functional assessment, cost, mass, reliability, and performance at the component and aircraft level. Lead make versus buy decisions. Engage with external vendors.
  3. Drive System Safety Assessments (SSA), Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), and Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) for complex autonomous systems.
  4. Serve as the "glue" between specialized teams (Software, Hardware, Flight Controls, and GCS) to adapt the Joby hardware and software stack to new configurations and applications.
  5. Define the master verification plan. You determine which requirements are met through simulation, HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing, and/or light testing.

Skills

Required

  • BS in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering (or related)
  • Systems engineering experience developing complex, safety-critical vehicles
  • Thorough understanding of systems engineering concepts and methods, including system-level requirements definition, traceability, and validation
  • Experience with safety and reliability analyses such as System Safety Assessments (SSA), Functional Hazard Assessments (FHA), and FMECA
  • Proficiency with requirements management and traceability tools (e.g., Jama, Polarion, DOORS)

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated full-V experience developing complex, safety-critical vehicles
  • MS/PhD in engineering
  • Experience with autonomous system logic, Command & Control (C2) link reliability, and GCS integration for Group 3-5 UAS
  • Experience with digital flight control systems
  • Experience with aircraft certification development and test processes (ARP4754, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160)
  • MBSE experience and tool proficiency (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw, Capella, Rhapsody)
  • Demonstrated success in clean-sheet aerospace development
  • Experience leading Technical Readiness Reviews (TRR) and Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR)
  • Experience mentoring systems engineers and standardizing engineering workflows

What the JD emphasized

  • 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.