Flight Test Operations Program Manager

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 Flight test is where Joby's aircraft meets the data certification requirements. As Flight Test Operations Program Manager, you will own the execution layer of that effort: turning the long-range test strategy into a daily, weekly, and campaign-level plan that keeps the flight test fleet flying safely, productively, and on schedule.You will work in the hangar and on the flight line as much as in the program office. You will partner daily with the Flight Test Lead, Chief Test Pilot, Flight Test Engineering leads, Flight Test Maintenance, Flight Test Safety, and the Systems Technical Program Managers. You will also work with the PMO, design engineering, and certification teams to ensure test events are ready, traceable to FAA requirements, and supported by the right aircraft configuration, personnel, and range resources. Responsibilities Plan and run flight test campaignsBuild and maintain the near- and mid-term flight test schedule, tied to the program Integrated Master Schedule, covering aircraft availability, test point priorities, crew, range and airspace, and ground resourcesTranslate certification and development objectives into executable campaigns with clear entry criteria, resourcing, and success measuresDrive the operational tempo: daily flight planning, pre-flight briefs, post-flight debriefs, and rapid turnaround of issues between flightsMake and communicate prioritization trade-offs when aircraft, weather, crew, or range availability changeKeep the fleet ready to flyWork with Flight Test Maintenance, Flight Test Support engineering, and Instrumentation teams to align aircraft configuration, modifications, and instrumentation with the test planTrack squawks, engineering dispositions, and design-change incorporation so the right fixes land on the right aircraft before the right test eventManage readiness across the fleet, including conforming and non-conforming configurations, and flag configuration risks earlyIntegrate safety into every testPartner with the Flight Test Safety team to ensure hazard analyses, risk assessments, and readiness reviews are complete before each test phaseEnforce go/no-go criteria and support the Flight Test Safety Committee, incident reporting, root-cause investigation, and corrective-action closureReinforce a culture where anyone can stop a testSupport certification and regulatory interfaceEnsure test objectives are traceable to FAA certification requirements and that test events are conducted to approved plans, procedures, and conformity requirementsCoordinate with certification and airworthiness teams on FAA witnessing, data submittals, and test authorization milestonesConnect flight test to the broader programServe as the operational link between flight test and the PMO, ensuring execution status, risks, and resource needs are accurately reflected in program reportingWork with the Senior Flight Test Technical Program Manager and Systems TPMs to keep operational plans aligned with long-range strategySupport domestic and international demonstration events and the flight test teams that run themMeasure and improveTrack and report KPIs: flight hours, test point completion, aircraft availability, turnaround time, schedule adherence, and costRun retrospectives and continuously improve processes, tools, and handoffs as the test fleet and tempo growMentor and coordinate a lean, high-performing team of coordinators and operations staff Required Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related engineering field (or equivalent practical experience)7+ years of professional experience in flight test, aircraft development, or flight operations (specifically including 3+ years in the program or project management of flight test activities)Direct experience planning and executing flight test campaigns on experimental or developmental aircraftWorking knowledge of flight test safety practices (hazard analysis, risk assessment, and readiness reviews) and SMS principlesUnderstanding of FAA certification pathways (14 CFR Part 21 and Part 23/27/25, or powered-lift special class) and how test activities support themProven ability to build and manage detailed schedules and resource plans in a fast-moving environmentStrong communication skills, with the ability to align pilots, engineers, technicians, and executives under schedule pressureWillingness to work flexible hours (early mornings, weekends) and travel to remote test sites Desired Experience with eVTOL, electric propulsion, fly-by-wire, or other novel aircraft architecturesBackground as a flight test engineer, test conductor, test pilot, or flight test operations leadExperience with Integrated Master Schedule ownership and PMO-level reportingFamiliarity with test range operations, telemetry, and real-time data monitoringProficiency with modern scheduling and tracking tools (such as Jira or Smartsheet)PMP or equivalent project management certification Additional Information Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $121,500 - $206,100/yr. 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 EmployerCompensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $121,500 - $206,100/yr. 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 EmployerJob SummaryID: 2026-5521Category: Flight TestType: Regular Full-Time