Job Locations US-CA-Santa Cruz

ID

2026-4710

Category

Manufacturing

Type

Regular Full-Time

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.

Joby is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to design, build, and deploy custom electromechanical equipment used to automate manufacturing and production processes. This role focuses on transforming manual, labor-intensive operations into robust, repeatable machine-driven solutions. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on experience developing one-off or low-volume custom equipment, strong mechanical intuition, and the ability to take concepts from initial requirements through design, build, debug, and production handoff. This position works closely with manufacturing, controls, and operations teams to deliver practical, production-ready automation.

• Design and develop custom automation equipment and electromechanical systems to replace or augment manual manufacturing processes.
• Own full lifecycle equipment development, including concept generation, requirements definition, detailed mechanical design, prototyping, build support, testing, and iteration.
• Design mechanisms incorporating gears, cams, linkages, linear rails, bearings, actuators, servo motors, and drive systems.
• Specify and integrate sensors, motion components, safety devices, and machine subsystems in collaboration with controls and PLC engineers.
• Create detailed CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and documentation suitable for fabrication, assembly, and long-term support.
• Support equipment build, assembly, and debug on the shop floor, troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical issues hands-on.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to ensure equipment meets throughput, reliability, ergonomics, and safety requirements.
• Improve existing equipment by identifying performance limitations and implementing mechanical upgrades or design improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience (preferably 10+ years) designing and building custom automation equipment or special-purpose machinery.
• Strong background in mechanical system design, including mechanisms, power transmission, and structural design.
• Hands-on experience with electromechanical components such as servo motors, actuators (electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic), gearboxes, belts, chains, and ball/linear screw systems.
• Familiarity with sensors, machine controls, and industrial automation architectures.
• Working knowledge of PLC-based systems and control concepts (programming not required, but must interface effectively with controls engineers).
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (preferrably Catia) and mechanical drafting for production-quality designs.
• Experience supporting builds in a shop or factory environment, including troubleshooting and iterative refinement.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance ideal design with practical manufacturing constraints.
• Strong understanding of common manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, welding, and mechanical assembly
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, prototype-heavy environments with evolving requirements.
• Mechatronics and Pneumatics: Comprehensive experience with system designs utilizing mechatronic and pneumatic components.
• Project Execution: Proven track record in executing projects from initial concept development through final commissioning.

• Robotics and Control Systems Expertise: Strong familiarity with industrial robots (Kuka, Fanuc, Kawasaki) and control systems (Siemens, Beckhoff, etc.).
• Hands-on Skills: Advanced machine shop skills, including the use of lathes, mills, welders, and other machine shop equipment.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader with a strong ability to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to successful completion in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for manufacturing engineering and automation, we encourage you to apply.

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