Composite Rapid Development Technician
Santa Cruz, CAJob$30–46/hrPosted 2w agoStill listed 2 days ago
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At a glance
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Job overview
Joby Aviation seeks a Composite Development Technician for its Composite Rapid Development Department. The role supports rapid prototyping, testing, and future aircraft development, taking aerospace parts from engineering drawings through tooling, fabrication, assembly, and finishing. The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience in a fast-paced composite prototype environment and can work independently and collaboratively in R&D.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
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 highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented Composite Development Technician who is passionate about composite fabrication and assembly from tool making through spraying the final coat of finish paint. Located in the Composite Rapid Development Department, this role directly enables rapid prototyping, testing, and future aircraft developments for Joby Aviation. The ideal candidate brings extensive hands-on experience in a fast-paced composite prototype environment, with the ability to take parts or assemblies from engineering drawings through tooling, lamination, trimming, fitting, bonded or fastened assembly, integration, paint prep, and final paint. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills are essential to working both independently and collaboratively in an R&D environment.
Responsibilities
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Take complex aerospace parts or assemblies seamlessly from engineering drawings to deliverable hardware
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Build and detail tooling, executing precise composite layups that meet engineered drawing tolerances and specifications
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Perform trimming, fitting, structural bonding, mechanical fastening, and composite repairs or modifications
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Execute bodywork, priming, surface preparation, and final topcoat painting
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Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams to refine, iterate, and improve R&D components
Required
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High School Diploma or equivalent
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Minimum 5 years of experience in a high-paced composite prototyping or R&D aerospace environment
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Hands-on expertise in prepreg, wet layup, VARTM, RTM, compression molding, sandwich lamination, and complex vacuum bagging
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Strong hand tool, carpentry, and tool detailing/repair skills
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Experience with structural bond preparation processes, paste adhesives, aerospace fastener types, and installation techniques
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Proven proficiency in cosmetic bodywork, paint preparation, and spraying using RP and HVLP equipment
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Technical ability to read, interpret, and execute against engineering drawings and ply books
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Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to resolve issues independently
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Solid verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration
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Adaptability to shifting priorities in a high-mix development shop, with flexibility to work extended hours or weekends when needed to meet critical deadlines
Desired
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Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a technical or manufacturing discipline
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Familiarity with GD&T and CAD
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Hands-on experience operating ply cutters, autoclaves, presses, or curing ovens
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $30-$46/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
How this job compares
Set against the 1,513 open Manufacturing Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 3, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$30–46/hr
- California median$26–38/hr166 hourly ranges
- US median$24–28/hr731 hourly ranges
This range's midpoint, $38/hr, is 17% above the California median midpoint ($33/hr) — in the middle half of Manufacturing Technician hourly ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 210 open Manufacturing Technician jobs in California and 1,513 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- SpaceX21 open
- Anduril Industries15 open
- Relativity Space14 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience — more than three in four Manufacturing Technician postings that state a minimum ask for (median 2 years, across 831 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a high school diploma; 739 of the 1,513 open Manufacturing Technician jobs (49%) ask for a high school diploma or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 3, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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