Sr. Supplier Industrialization Engineer, Plastics

Joby Aviation Joby Aviation · Robotics · San Carlos, CA · Supply Chain

Joby Aviation is seeking a Sr. Supplier Industrialization Engineer, Plastics to lead the industrialization phase for complex plastic and polymer components. This role involves driving DFM/DFI, troubleshooting supplier molding lines, and managing supplier quality processes from development to mass production. The engineer will provide leadership for NPI, facilitate technical communication, and ensure suppliers meet performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the industrialization phase for complex plastic and polymer components. Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Inspection (DFI) reviews to ensure parts are optimized for injection molding, thermoforming, and secondary finishing operations.
  2. Deep-dive into supplier molding lines, tooling qualification, and CMM/dimensional inspection stations. You are expected to troubleshoot complex process deviations including sink, warpage, short shots, and knit lines.
  3. Develop, manage, audit, improve, and correct supplier planning and execution of component manufacturing and assembly techniques and quality control processes from the advanced development phase to mass production qualification.
  4. Provide leadership for New Product Introduction (NPI) at suppliers and lead supplier improvements in scalability, cost, and quality.
  5. Accountable for supplier audits to ensure their ability to meet part performance, delivery, and reliability expectations.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical / Industrial / Manufacturing / Materials Engineering, or evidence of experience and exceptional ability.
  • 8+ years of experience in industrial, manufacturing, process engineering, and/or supplier quality engineering.
  • Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, both domestic and international, with a valid passport or the ability to obtain one.
  • A deep understanding of product technologies and manufacturing processes for plastic and polymer commodities, including injection molding, thermoforming, compression molding, overmolding, and finished assemblies.
  • Organized with a good balance between delegation and the capacity to deep dive into tactical issues when required.
  • In-depth knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and inspection.
  • Demonstrable leadership abilities.

Nice to have

  • Experience in Quality Systems: PPAP/APQP processes.
  • Familiarity with aerospace flammability and material standards (e.g., FAR 25.853) for plastic components.
  • Experience with composite materials, foam, or overmolded components in aerospace or eVTOL applications.
  • Prior experience supporting a Part 21 production approval holder (PAH) or DO-160 qualified component supply chain.

What the JD emphasized

  • critical component development
  • on-the-spot critical decision-making
  • high-quality component parts
  • extremely rapid development cycles
  • mass production qualification
  • extremely intense, fast-paced, and innovative environment
  • new products and design changes
  • exceptionally robust processes and procedures
  • high-quality products
  • similar potential concerns across manufacturing lines and/or suppliers