Program Operations Lead

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 As the Program Operations Lead, you will work closely with the J208 Program Lead. In this multi-faceted leadership role, you will bridge the gap between technical program execution, fiscal alignment, and strategic business development. You will establish the operational rhythm of the program, ensure alignment in cross-functional engineering and production initiatives, partner closely with the Finance team on budget health and forecasting, and play a significant role in business development to find customers and foster that business. Responsibilities Partner directly with the J208 Program Lead to establish operating mechanisms, project governance, and integrated program tracking across engineering and operational teams Assist program managers, and provide direct leadership where necessary, to organize cross-functional technical workflows, integrating schedule milestones, technical dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies across flight hardware and software teams Interface regularly with the Finance team to define program resource requirements, validate expenditure forecasts, and translate financial milestones into operational plans (with Finance driving the primary budget accounting and ledgers) Collaborate with Business Development and commercial teams to evaluate program requirements, scope operational deliverables, and support proposals for external stakeholders and partners Resolve complex, cross-functional programmatic bottlenecks by establishing scalable processes, clear accountability metrics, and transparent communication channels Communicate program progress, critical path interdependencies, and strategic trade-offs to program leadership and cross-functional teams Perform other tasks as needed to support the overall operation of the program Required Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Operations, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience; Master’s degree with 6+ years; PhD with 3+ years; or 11+ years of demonstrated professional experience Proven track record leading program management initiatives across complex hardware, software, or multidisciplinary engineering systems Demonstrated experience collaborating with finance or project controls teams to align operational schedules with program budgets and resource allocations Background partnering with business development, commercial partners, or external stakeholders on contract deliverables and project roadmaps Demonstrated capability to operate with high autonomy, drive alignment across diverse teams, and translate complex technical challenges into clear operational actions Hold an active US Security Clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance post-hire This position must meet US export control compliance requirements, therefore a candidate must qualify as a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15. “US Person” includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees. Desired Advanced degree (Master’s or MBA) in Engineering, Management, or a related field Experience in aerospace, defense, or safety-critical multidisciplinary vehicle development programs Direct familiarity with aviation certification phases, flight test lifecycles, or government procurement frameworks Proficiency with modern program management, scheduling, and tracking tools Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $149,900 - $254,800/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. Additional Information Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.