Manufacturing Engineer- Composites

Joby Aviation Joby Aviation · Robotics · Dayton, OH · Composites Manufacturing

Manufacturing Engineer at Joby Aviation focusing on composites manufacturing, tooling, and scaling products from prototype to mass production. The role supports the development and scaling of composite aircraft structures and propeller systems, requiring expertise in composite processes, tooling design, and documentation.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develop and optimize composite manufacturing processes, including layup, trimming, secondary bonding, curing, resin transfer molding (RTM), assembly, and inspection.
  2. Support the development and scale-up of composite propeller manufacturing processes, including tooling, bonded assemblies, and finishing operations.
  3. Support the development of prepreg structures from autoclave and out-of-autoclave processes.
  4. Work with our technical team to support manufacturing and integration activities.
  5. Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation for composite production.

Skills

Required

  • B.S. in engineering OR 6+ years in a comparable role OR substantial hands-on composite manufacturing engineering experience.
  • 2+ years of relevant work experience.
  • Experience with composite materials and manufacturing processes, such as prepreg layup, vacuum bagging, resin infusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), compression molding, autoclave curing, oven curing, trimming, drilling, and adhesive bonding.
  • Experience with composite tooling design, mold development, and vacuum bagging processes.
  • Familiarity with aerospace composites manufacturing, bonded assemblies, and non-destructive inspection methods is highly valued.
  • Have strong listening and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills while working with cross-functional teams.
  • Experience in prototype manufacturing in a professional environment.
  • Strong background in mechanical tooling design with proficiency in GD&T.
  • Proficient with using 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA (3DX) or Solidworks.

Nice to have

  • Experience with laser projection systems (Virtek or Aligned Vision).
  • Experience with composite cutting tables (Gerber, Zund, Eastman, etc).
  • Working knowledge in controls engineering (i.e. motion control, PLCs, machine sensors, etc.).
  • Familiarity with propeller manufacturing, rotating composite structures, Ply designing, Metal to Composite bonding, Thermoplastic composites or other aerostructure applications is highly valued.
  • Manufacturing background in a mass production environment and/or a regulated industry.
  • Prior hands-on experience with student engineering organizations or competitive build teams such as Formula SAE, Design/Build/Fly, Baja SAE, or similar groups, especially where composites, tooling, manufacturing, or airframe/propeller fabrication were involved.
  • Experience supporting the manufacture of composite propellers, blades, aerodynamic structures, or other high-performance composite components.

What the JD emphasized

  • composites manufacturing
  • scaling products from prototype to mass production
  • composite manufacturing processes
  • composite propeller manufacturing processes
  • composite structures
  • composite production
  • mechanical tooling design