Manufacturing Engineer - Motors
Joby Aviation · San Carlos, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $81k–$135k
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Joby Aviation (aerospace & defense) in San Carlos, CA. , you will bridge the gap between complex design engineering and scalable volume production.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, GD&T, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $81k–$135k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $111k–$173k. This one lists $81k–$135k.
Median of the low and high ends of 165 live postings that list pay, out of 443 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 442 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 19% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $109k–$159k, from 143 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 50%
- ✓ New product launch 45%
- ✓ Root cause 37%
- ✓ Automation 34%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- Machining 26%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for IATF 16949, ISO 13485, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Joby Aviation
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Ife → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Joby Aviation in San Carlos
5 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Joby Aviation.
- Senior/Staff Power Electronics Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
- Sr/Staff Automation Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Supplier Industrialization Engineer · Industrial
- Production Technician II/III · Production · Technician
- Production Technician IV/V · Production · Technician
Full description from Joby AviationAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Collaborate across engineering disciplines (Design, Quality, Test, and Equipment) to shape the manufacturing processes for motor production. You will act as the voice of manufacturing, driving Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback to ensure high yields and manufacturing readiness
- ◆Contribute to a "safety-first" and "quality-always" environment. Partner in cross-functional initiatives to deliver step-change improvements in throughput, ergonomics, and repeatability from prototype through volume production
- ◆Guide the evolution of production processes. Utilize data and Lean principles to resolve constraints, improve tooling, implement automation, and optimize test performance across welding, winding impregnation, rotor/stator build, and final motor test
- ◆Develop and maintain clear, accessible Standard Work instructions, acting as a mentor for production staff to ensure successful adoption and execution
- ◆Take responsibility for the full lifecycle of assigned manufacturing processes, utilizing data to drive decisions from initial deployment through sustained production and validation
Required
- ✓B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 2+ years of experience, or equivalent professional experience/certification
- ✓Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority. You enjoy being on the shop floor and value the insights of technicians and operators
- ✓Strong ability to balance technical precision with practical manufacturing needs, with a focus on creating stable, repeatable, and efficient production environments
- ✓Ability to adapt to an iterative, dynamic manufacturing environment where project needs may shift
- ✓Proficient in 3D CAD modeling software
- ✓Ability to travel to China for business purposes as required, including the capacity for extended trips up to 90 days per year, inclusive of weekends
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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
Joby Aviation is seeking a collaborative and process-oriented Manufacturing Engineer to join our Electric Propulsion team in San Carlos, CA. In this role, you will bridge the gap between complex design engineering and scalable volume production. Beyond technical expertise, the ideal candidate is a champion of operational excellence who excels at communicating with diverse stakeholders—from design engineers to production technicians. You will participate in the NPI (New Product Introduction) and ramp-up of the Joby aircraft powertrain, ensuring that our manufacturing systems are as reliable, safe, and efficient as the aircraft itself.
Desired
- +Hands-on experience in process development, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and root cause analysis
- +Proficient in GD&T per ASME Y14.5 for complex tolerance stack-up analysis
- +Experience with electric motor assembly, power electronics, or complex electro-mechanical systems
- +Experience in manufacturing in regulated sectors such as Aerospace (14 CFR Part 21), Automotive (TS16949/IATF 16949), or Medical (ISO 13485)
- +Experience working with international teams (experience with Mandarin-speaking environments or fluency in Mandarin is advantageous)
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.
Additional Information