Joby Aviation

Test Technician - Airframe & Actuators Test

Job Locations US-CA-Santa Cruz
ID
2026-5218
Category
Testing
Type
Regular Full-Time

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

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our Testing Team as a Test Technician. This role is responsible for the assembly, operation, troubleshooting, and decommissioning of test stands and test equipment, including mechanical and structural setup, instrumentation installation, wiring, and operation of data acquisition equipment. The Test Technician will work with engineers to resolve issues with test and data acquisition equipment.

The test technician works in the testing facility and is often hands-on with aerospace flight hardware; attention to detail and a focus on safety are required at all times. This role interacts with engineers and technicians from multiple cross-functional teams, communicating test status and needs to leadership and internal customers, and serving as the focal point for the commissioning and operation of complex test stands.

Responsibilities

The Test Technician will be responsible for the assembly and operation of test stands using engineering drawings and models, including light metal fabrication and machining (milling, drilling, cutting, and grinding), assembly of large metallic bolted and welded structures, setting up hydraulic and pneumatic actuation systems, and installation of electromechanical components such as valves, motors, and switches. Additional responsibilities include operating a forklift to move heavy equipment, setting up video cameras to collect test footage, and tracking, calibrating, and controlling tools, instruments, equipment, and raw materials.

The Test Technician will also be responsible for the installation of instrumentation according to engineering drawings, including verifying instrumentation locations, soldering and splicing wire connections, and checkout and troubleshooting of instruments at the test stand (load cells, displacement sensors, strain gauges, transducers, etc.). The test technician will use digital and analog instruments to collect and report test data and may mentor others in instrumentation installation.

Why We Need You

You will support multiple projects and engineers with fixture design, assembly, test execution, and troubleshooting. You will test the hardware of our next-generation eVTOL aircraft. The successful candidate will be proactive, self-motivated, hands-on, and committed to safety best practices.

What You Will Do

  • Build Custom Hardware: Develop, fabricate, and assemble one-off test fixtures, electromechanical systems, and custom wire harnesses from drawings and CAD models.
  • Source & Document: Procure necessary hardware and tools per engineering documents, and submit redlines for any required changes.
  • Own the Lab Space: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, managing tool control, equipment calibration, inventory, and safety best practices.
  • Troubleshoot & Optimize: Diagnose and resolve mechanical issues and test setup anomalies to keep active test campaigns running smoothly.
  • Fabricate Precision Electronics: Build and terminate connectors (including LEMO, Amphenol, Mini-Fit/Micro-Fit) and perform wire splicing using crimp and solder techniques based on electrical schematics.
  • Deliver Consistent Quality: Execute routine and active test campaigns with unwavering accuracy and attention to detail.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a highly motivated, self-starting individual with a broad set of skills who is never afraid of complex technical challenges. You are solution-oriented with a strong analytical mindset, can communicate effectively across audiences, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You embrace challenges, deliver results, and are a positive team player.

Required

Education & Experience

  • High School Diploma or GED required.
  • 3+ years of experience as a technician assembling electromechanical mechanisms and/or power electronic assemblies.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.

Technical Skills & Expertise

  • Wiring & Fabrication: Hands-on experience with a broad range of connector types, termination methods, wire splicing, and wire gauges, including heat-shrink tubing, braiding, shielding, and connector types (e.g., MIL-Spec, Molex, JST).
  • Soldering & High Voltage: Strong soldering and wire splicing skills and familiarity with working safely around High Voltage (HV) systems.
  • Instrumentation & Sensors: Experience working with data acquisition (DAQ) devices and various sensors (accelerometers, thermocouples, and strain gauges).
  • Test & Measurement Tools: Ability to use digital multimeters (DMMs), continuity testers, and hi-pot testers to verify circuit integrity and troubleshoot shorts or open circuits.
  • Schematics & Drawings: Demonstrated proficiency in reading and interpreting wiring schematics, electrical diagrams, and technical drawings with minimal guidance.
  • GD&T: Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles.
  • Digital Literacy: Basic computer skills to input production data, access digital work instructions, or operate computerized testing equipment.

Core Competencies

  • Attention to Detail: High attention to detail for color-coding, wire routing, and inspecting assemblies to prevent testing errors.
  • Autonomy: Ability to self-start and execute tasks effectively from written procedures and drawings with minimal supervision.
  • Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with the engineering team.

Desired

Technical & Lab Capabilities

  • Proficient with hand tools, machine shop equipment (mill, drill press, chop saw), and metrology tools (calipers, measurement gauges).
  • Experience reading mechanical drawings for test setups, including torquing bolted equipment to engineering specifications.
  • Solid understanding of basic electronics tools (e.g., oscilloscopes, multimeters).
  • Experience operating forklifts and lifting and rigging equipment.
  • Prior experience in both test lab and production environments.

Industry Standards & Safety

  • Deep understanding of aerospace safety, tool control, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention, and other industry-standard practices.

Mindset & Soft Skills

  • Well-rounded and comfortable shifting between electrical, mechanical, and general test support work.
  • Self-sufficient and highly reliable; proven ability to own tasks from start to finish with minimal oversight.
  • Excels in a fast-paced lab environment with shifting priorities and tight timelines.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, especially when executing high-stakes or repetitive tasks.

Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $36-$52/hr. 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

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