Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior/Staff Vehicle Integration Manufacturing Engineer

at Joby Aviation

🏢 About Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation is pioneering the future of air travel with electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for safe, quiet, and fast urban mobility. As a leader in the electric aviation space, Joby offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that could transform personal transportation and reduce carbon emissions.

About This Role

This role is critical for bridging design and production, ensuring that Joby's innovative aircraft can be manufactured at scale with high quality. You'll develop and optimize manufacturing processes for both electrical and mechanical systems, directly impacting the efficiency, safety, and reliability of the final product.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a stand-up meeting to review production metrics and non-conformances. You'll then collaborate with design engineers to address a DFM issue, followed by a line walk to observe assembly processes and talk with technicians. The afternoon could involve analyzing root cause of a recurring defect and updating work instructions in the MES, ending with a meeting to plan capacity for the next build phase.

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🎯 Who Joby Aviation Is Looking For

  • Experienced in manufacturing engineering within aerospace or automotive industries, with a strong focus on vehicle integration (electrical and mechanical systems).
  • Proficient in CAD (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) and skilled in GD&T per ASME Y14.5, capable of interpreting complex drawings and specifications.
  • Hands-on with electrical and mechanical assembly, and experienced with MES, ERP, and quality systems to track and resolve production issues.
  • A problem-solver who uses root cause analysis and data-driven methods to reduce scrap, rework, and improve yield in a production environment.

📝 Tips for Applying to Joby Aviation

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with eVTOL or electric propulsion systems, even if from related fields like automotive or drones.

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles, such as 'Reduced assembly time by 15% through process optimization' or 'Led root cause analysis for 20+ non-conformances per month.'

3

Mention any familiarity with FAA or EASA certification processes, as aviation compliance is key at Joby.

4

Showcase your ability to collaborate with design engineering by providing examples of DFM (Design for Manufacturing) improvements you've implemented.

5

Include details about your experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and how you used them to track KPIs like yield, cycle time, and first-pass yield.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your passion for sustainable aviation and how your skills can help Joby achieve its mission of eco-friendly air travel.', 'Highlight your experience in both electrical and mechanical integration, as this role requires a cross-disciplinary approach.', 'Provide a specific example of a manufacturing process you developed or improved that resulted in measurable quality or efficiency gains.', 'Express your enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced startup environment where you can own processes from prototype to production.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Joby's aircraft design (e.g., tilt-rotor architecture, battery system) to understand integration challenges.
  • → Read about Joby's certification progress with the FAA and any recent test flight milestones.
  • → Understand the competitive landscape of eVTOL companies (e.g., Archer, Lilium) and how Joby differentiates itself.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Joby's manufacturing facility in Marina, CA, and their production scale-up plans.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design a manufacturing line for a new eVTOL component, considering both electrical and mechanical assembly?
2 Describe a time you resolved a complex non-conformance issue. What tools (e.g., fishbone, 5 Whys) did you use?
3 How do you ensure manufacturability when working with design engineers? Give an example of a DFM change you advocated for.
4 Explain your experience with GD&T and how you apply it to fixture design or inspection planning.
5 How would you prioritize process improvements when facing tight production deadlines?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on mechanical or electrical expertise without showing cross-disciplinary integration skills.
  • Using generic manufacturing examples that don't relate to aerospace or high-tech assembly environments.
  • Overlooking the importance of quality systems and compliance; avoid vague statements about 'fixing issues' without mentioning structured problem-solving methods.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Joby Aviation!

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