Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: Joby Aviation

Location: San Carlos, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Design / Operations Technology

Date Posted: September 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Design user-centric software solutions for Joby Aviation's operational technology stack, focusing on areas like charging infrastructure, maintenance tooling, and configuration tracking.

• Translate complex, regulated aerospace workflows into intuitive and efficient user experiences for operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.

• Drive the end-to-end product design process, from initial research and discovery through to final design specifications and post-launch iteration.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineers as a strategic partner to shape product direction and ensure successful implementation of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the "Elevate Edge Applications Team (EEAT)," indicating a strong focus on the software that directly interfaces with and supports the physical operations of Joby's aircraft and ground infrastructure. This is a critical intersection of hardware, software, and complex operational processes within a highly regulated industry. The emphasis on "near aircraft product surfaces" and "aerospace diligence" suggests a need for meticulous design that prioritizes safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for complex operational tools, encompassing user research, discovery, wireframing, prototyping, and detailed specification delivery.

• Develop elegant and simplified user experiences for intricate technical workflows such as aircraft charging, maintenance procedures, and configuration management.

• Maintain a balance between high-level systems thinking and meticulous attention to detail in pixel-perfect execution.

• Act as a design thought partner to Product Managers and Engineers, actively contributing to product strategy and roadmap development.

• Conduct user research and usability testing sessions with the end-users of these tools—including operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel—to gather critical feedback and validate design decisions.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of scalable design systems to ensure consistency and efficiency across all near-aircraft applications.

• Employ rapid prototyping techniques to quickly test and validate design concepts and assumptions early in the development cycle.

• Measure the usability and adoption of designed solutions to inform continuous improvement and iterative enhancements.

• Leverage AI tools and workflows to accelerate personal design and prototyping efforts, and explore opportunities to integrate AI into end-user solutions for enhanced efficiency and intelligence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "Measure usability and adoption to drive continuous improvement" highlights a data-driven approach to design. For operations roles, this means candidates should be prepared to discuss how they use metrics (e.g., task completion time, error rates, user satisfaction scores) to inform design iterations and demonstrate the impact of their work. The mention of "AI as part of your own design and prototyping workflows" and "incorporate AI into end-user solutions" signals a forward-thinking approach to design tooling and product features.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a comparable field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated product design experience, with a strong portfolio showcasing work on complex systems or enterprise-level tools.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools, specifically mentioning Figma and Sketch.

• Exceptional ability to simplify complex workflows through sophisticated interaction design principles.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting user research and performing usability testing with target user groups.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Proven track record of successfully driving design projects from initial concept through to product launch in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

• Experience leveraging AI tools and workflows to enhance design and prototyping efficiency.

• Excellent problem-solving capabilities, a proactive and self-motivated mindset, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.

• Understanding of aerospace diligence and the precision required in regulated industries. Preferred Skills:

• Background in aviation, aerospace, or other highly regulated industries.

• Experience designing enterprise or operational systems, particularly those managing complex physical processes.

• Familiarity with designing for environments that are "near hardware" and involve hardware-adjacent workflows.

• Experience in operations, transportation, automotive, or logistics sectors.

• Ability to contribute to visual design elements, motion design, and advanced interaction design, complementing core UX responsibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Desired" qualifications strongly suggest that candidates with prior experience in regulated industries or operational environments will have a significant advantage. The emphasis on "enterprise or operational systems" and "near hardware" points to a need for designers who understand the nuances of mission-critical applications where reliability and efficiency are paramount, rather than purely consumer-facing products. The mention of AI tools suggests an expectation for candidates to be adaptable and explore new technologies in their workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5 years of product design experience, with a clear emphasis on complex systems or enterprise-level tools.

• Include case studies that detail the end-to-end design process, from initial user research and problem definition to final wireframes, prototypes, and implemented solutions.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate complex technical workflows (e.g., operational processes, maintenance procedures, data management) into simple, elegant user experiences.

• Present examples of how you have conducted user research and usability testing, and how the insights gained informed design decisions and led to measurable improvements.

• Highlight your proficiency with modern design and prototyping tools such as Figma and Sketch, ideally showing examples of system design and scalable design patterns.

• Include evidence of your ability to balance big-picture systems design with pixel-level attention to detail, showcasing both strategic thinking and execution. Process Documentation:

• Detail your approach to user research and discovery phases, including methodologies for understanding complex operational needs and stakeholder requirements.

• Provide examples of your wireframing and prototyping process, illustrating how you iterate on concepts and gather feedback to refine user flows.

• Showcase your process for creating detailed design specifications for engineering teams, ensuring clarity and accuracy for implementation.

• Document how you measure usability and adoption post-launch, and how these metrics are used to drive continuous improvement and iterative design cycles.

• Illustrate your experience with design systems, demonstrating how you contribute to or maintain them for consistency and scalability.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this Senior Product Designer role at Joby Aviation, the portfolio is paramount. It must clearly demonstrate the candidate's ability to handle complexity, work within regulated environments, and deliver user-centered solutions for operational tools. Simply showing visually appealing interfaces is insufficient; the portfolio needs to tell a story about the design process, the problem-solving involved, and the impact of the design on operational efficiency and safety. The inclusion of AI in workflows should also be subtly or explicitly referenced if possible.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The target base pay for this position is $120,200 - $191,100 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.

• Generous paid time off to support work-life balance.

• 401(k) plan with a company match, aiding in retirement savings.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), offering an opportunity to invest in the company's growth.

• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), providing long-term equity and alignment with company success.

• Short-term and long-term disability coverage for income protection.

• Life insurance to provide financial security for beneficiaries.

• Additional benefits may be available, as typical for a role of this caliber.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this full-time position are typically 40 hours per week, though flexibility may be expected given the nature of product development and operational support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to the US market and reflects a senior-level position in the technology sector, particularly in a high-cost-of-living area like the San Francisco Bay Area. The range is competitive for a Senior Product Designer with specialized experience. The inclusion of RSUs and ESPP indicates a strong emphasis on employee ownership and long-term commitment, common in tech and aerospace companies. The mention of "40 hours per week" is standard, but the industry often implies a need for dedication beyond strict hours, especially during critical project phases.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace & Aviation Technology, focused on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Joby Aviation is at the forefront of developing and certifying air taxi services. This industry demands rigorous safety standards, cutting-edge innovation, and a strong focus on operational efficiency and reliability.

Company Size: Joby Aviation is a rapidly growing company, indicated by its scaling manufacturing and global launch plans. While the exact number of employees is not specified in the provided data, its ambition suggests a significant and expanding workforce, likely in the hundreds or thousands, operating in a dynamic startup-to-scale environment.

Founded: Founded in 2009, Joby Aviation has a history of developing its technology over a decade, moving from concept to the final stages of FAA certification. This long-term vision and commitment to innovation are core to its culture.

Team Structure:

• The Elevate Edge Applications Team (EEAT) is a specialized group focused on the software supporting Joby's physical operations. This implies a team that works closely with hardware, manufacturing, and operational logistics.

• Product Designers on EEAT will likely report into a Design leadership structure, collaborating daily with Product Managers and Software Engineers within their specific product domain.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, extending to teams involved in aircraft maintenance, charging infrastructure, flight operations, and regulatory compliance. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: The role emphasizes using user research, usability testing, and adoption metrics to drive design decisions, indicating a data-driven approach to product development.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: A core function is translating complex technical workflows into simple, efficient user experiences, directly impacting operational speed and safety.

• Automation & Efficiency: The use of AI in design workflows and the potential for AI in end-user solutions points to a drive for automation and enhanced efficiency in both internal processes and customer-facing tools.

Company Website: www.jobyaviation.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's industry (aerospace) and its stage (final certification, scaling manufacturing) are critical context. This means the culture likely values precision, safety, and rigorous process adherence, alongside innovation. The EEAT team's focus on operational software means designers need to be comfortable with the intricacies of hardware interaction, complex regulations, and supporting mission-critical functions where errors can have significant consequences.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Product Designer role, indicating a position of significant individual contribution and influence. It requires a proven ability to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers (implicitly), and act as a thought partner on product strategy. The scope involves end-to-end design for complex systems that directly support core business operations.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Product Designer typically reports to a Design Manager or Director. Within the EEAT, they will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, acting as the primary design voice for their product areas. This structure fosters close collaboration and direct impact on product development.

Operations Impact: The work of a Senior Product Designer on the EEAT team has a direct and tangible impact on Joby Aviation's ability to efficiently and safely operate its fleet. By designing intuitive tools for charging, maintenance, and configuration, this role helps to:

• Reduce operational downtime.

• Enhance safety and compliance through clear, error-minimizing interfaces.

• Improve the productivity and job satisfaction of the personnel responsible for aircraft upkeep and deployment.

• Support the scaling of manufacturing and service operations by providing robust and efficient software tools. Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in designing for highly regulated industries, complex hardware-adjacent workflows, and mission-critical operational systems, potentially leading to specialization in aerospace operations technology.

• Leadership Development: As a senior member, there's potential to lead design initiatives, mentor junior designers, and influence broader design strategy and system architecture.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Exposure to aviation technology, engineering, and operational logistics provides a unique blend of skills, opening doors to roles in product management, program management, or specialized design leadership within the aerospace sector.

• AI Integration: The role's emphasis on AI offers a chance to become proficient in leveraging AI for design acceleration and exploring AI-driven product features, a highly sought-after skill.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential in this role is significant due to its position at the intersection of cutting-edge technology (eVTOLs, AI) and critical operational needs within a highly regulated industry. The candidate can expect to develop specialized expertise that is valuable across the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in San Carlos, California, at Joby Aviation's headquarters. This location likely offers a modern office environment conducive to collaboration and innovation, typical of leading tech and aerospace companies. It will likely include collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and potentially access to labs or manufacturing areas depending on the team's specific needs.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 980 Industrial Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. This is within the San Francisco Bay Area, a hub for technology and innovation, offering excellent accessibility via public transport and major roadways.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, team-oriented atmosphere where close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially operations personnel is the norm. The design of the workspace will likely support this, with ample areas for whiteboarding, brainstorming, and design reviews.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and prototyping tools (Figma, Sketch) will be provided. The team may also utilize specialized software for managing operational data, hardware integration, and potentially simulation or testing environments.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with cross-functional teams is expected, fostering a culture of shared problem-solving and continuous feedback. This includes direct engagement with the individuals who will be using the software designed by the EEAT.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is typically 40 hours per week. However, as with many roles in innovative tech and aerospace companies, there may be periods requiring extended hours to meet project deadlines, particularly around key milestones like FAA certification or product launches. A hybrid work arrangement is not specified, and the San Carlos location suggests an on-site presence is preferred for close team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" nature of this role is crucial for a company like Joby Aviation, where close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and operational teams is paramount for designing complex, hardware-adjacent software. The San Carlos location places it within a vibrant tech ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements. Be prepared to articulate your experience with complex systems and operational design.

• Hiring Manager/Recruiter Call: An initial conversation to gauge your background, career aspirations, and understanding of Joby Aviation's mission.

• Design Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage where you will present a curated selection of your work, focusing on 2-3 relevant case studies. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving process, design thinking, and impact on business objectives. Expect to discuss your role in each project, the challenges faced, your design solutions, and the outcomes.

• Team Interviews: Sessions with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially other Designers. These interviews will delve into your technical skills, collaboration style, and how you approach design challenges within a team environment. You may be asked to discuss your experience with user research, systems design, and working with complex technical workflows.

• Practical Exercise/Case Study: A potential assignment or live exercise designed to assess your problem-solving skills, design approach, and ability to translate requirements into design solutions within a given timeframe. This could involve a design challenge related to operational workflows.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall alignment with Joby Aviation's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your experience with complex systems, enterprise tools, or operational workflows. Prioritize projects that demonstrate end-to-end design ownership and impact.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem statement, your role and contributions, the design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), key design decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals effectively to guide the narrative.

• Highlight Complexity & Operations: Emphasize your ability to simplify complex technical workflows and design for operational environments. If you have experience in regulated industries or with hardware-adjacent systems, make sure this is evident.

• Showcase Collaboration: Discuss how you partnered with Product Managers and Engineers, how you incorporated feedback, and how you navigated trade-offs.

• Address AI Integration: If you have leveraged AI in your design process, be ready to discuss how it accelerated your work or contributed to novel solutions.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, research methodologies, and problem-solving approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, take time to understand the specific operational context, user needs, and business goals. Ask clarifying questions.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving. Outline your steps, from understanding the problem to proposing solutions and considering implementation.

• Prioritize & Justify: Be prepared to make design decisions and justify them based on user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely, whether in writing or during a presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Product Designer at Joby Aviation will heavily emphasize practical demonstration of skills through portfolio review and potential design challenges. Candidates must be ready to articulate their design process, problem-solving abilities, and experience with complex systems in a way that resonates with the company's mission and operational needs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch (explicitly mentioned as required). These are industry-standard tools for UI/UX design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaboration.

• User Research & Testing: Tools for conducting user interviews, usability testing, and synthesizing research findings. Specific tools may vary but could include platforms like UserTesting.com, Lookback, or internal tools for session recording and analysis.

• Design Systems: Proficiency in building, maintaining, and utilizing design systems for consistent and scalable product development. This might involve component libraries within Figma or other specialized tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed for the designer role, understanding how to interpret analytics related to user behavior and product adoption is crucial. This could involve familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal dashboards that track usage metrics and feature performance. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly used by the product designer, but an understanding of how operational data is managed and utilized within CRM or other enterprise systems might be beneficial, especially when designing tools that interact with or feed into such systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Sketch indicates a strong expectation for proficiency in these leading design tools. The role implies a need to work with systems that might have complex data flows and integrations, even if the designer isn't directly building those integrations. The emphasis on "near aircraft product surfaces" suggests tools that can manage complex states and interactions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: Given the aerospace context, a paramount value is ensuring safety and reliability in all designs. This translates to meticulous attention to detail, rigorous testing, and a deep understanding of regulatory requirements.

• Precision & Diligence: Operations in aerospace demand accuracy. Expect a culture that values thoroughness, attention to detail, and a commitment to getting things right.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Joby Aviation is a pioneer in eVTOL technology. The culture likely encourages innovative solutions and embracing new technologies like AI to push boundaries.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Building complex aircraft and operational systems requires seamless collaboration across diverse disciplines. A strong emphasis is placed on working together effectively.

• Efficiency & Optimization: The goal of the EEAT is to make operations faster, safer, and more intuitive, reflecting a core value of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where designers work hand-in-hand with Product Managers, Engineers, and operations specialists. This involves frequent communication, joint problem-solving sessions, and a shared sense of ownership.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open feedback loops, design critiques, and iterative refinement of processes and products.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share knowledge, best practices, and learnings across teams to foster collective growth and efficiency. Designers will likely be expected to contribute to and benefit from a shared understanding of user needs and system capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Joby Aviation, particularly within an operational technology team, will blend the innovative spirit of a tech startup with the rigorous discipline of the aerospace industry. Designers must be comfortable with both rapid iteration and meticulous adherence to safety and quality standards.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Workflows: Translating highly technical and regulated aerospace workflows (e.g., maintenance checklists, charging protocols) into intuitive user interfaces requires deep understanding and creative problem-solving.

• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Designing cutting-edge solutions while adhering to stringent FAA regulations and aerospace standards presents a unique design challenge.

• Hardware-Software Integration: Designing software that interacts closely with physical hardware (charging stations, aircraft components) requires an understanding of physical constraints and operational realities.

• Rapid Scaling Environment: As Joby Aviation grows, the design team will need to adapt quickly, scale design systems, and manage evolving requirements in a fast-paced development cycle.

• AI Integration: Effectively leveraging AI in design workflows and exploring its potential in end-user solutions requires continuous learning and experimentation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Industry Knowledge: Gain deep insights into the intricacies of aerospace operations, aviation maintenance, and regulatory compliance, becoming an expert in a niche but growing field.

• Advanced Design Systems: Contribute to and expand sophisticated design systems tailored for complex operational environments, enhancing skills in scalability and consistency.

• AI in Design & Operations: Develop practical expertise in using AI tools for design acceleration and explore opportunities to design AI-powered features for operational efficiency, a highly valuable skill set.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Grow leadership capabilities by influencing product direction and collaborating across diverse engineering, product, and operations teams.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Opportunities to attend relevant industry events and pursue certifications related to UX design, aviation technology, or operational excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to working at the cutting edge of aerospace technology and operations. Overcoming these challenges offers significant opportunities for professional growth and the development of highly specialized, in-demand skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a complex system or enterprise tool. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach translating complex technical workflows into simple, elegant user experiences? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight your interaction design skills and ability to distill complexity.)

• "Tell me about your experience conducting user research and usability testing for operational or enterprise software. How did the insights influence your design?" (Emphasize your user-centric methodology and data-driven approach.)

• "How do you collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers? Describe a situation where you had to navigate differing opinions or priorities." (Showcase your teamwork, communication, and negotiation skills.)

• "How do you leverage AI tools in your design process? What are your thoughts on incorporating AI into end-user solutions for operational efficiency?" (Demonstrate your familiarity with emerging technologies and your proactive mindset.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Joby Aviation and our mission to revolutionize air travel?" (Research the company's vision, values, and recent achievements.)

• "How do you think your design skills can contribute to the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations?" (Connect your experience to the specific needs of the EEAT team and Joby's mission.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment. How do you thrive in a fast-paced, innovative setting?" (Align your preferences with Joby's culture, emphasizing collaboration and problem-solving.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the impact. Use a consistent structure for clarity.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use metrics related to efficiency, usability, adoption, or error reduction.

• Show Your Process: Don't just show final screens. Explain your research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and testing phases. This demonstrates your thinking.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate deep dives into your design decisions, trade-offs you made, and how you handled challenges or feedback.

• Tailor to Joby: If possible, subtly weave in how your experience is relevant to aerospace, complex operations, or hardware-adjacent design.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the User: For any design challenge, focus on identifying the target user and their specific needs and constraints within the operational context.

• Define the Problem: Clearly articulate the core problem you are trying to solve.

• Sketch & Iterate: Be prepared to sketch out ideas quickly and explain your reasoning.

• Consider Constraints: Think about technical feasibility, regulatory requirements, and the operational environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating not just design skill, but also an understanding of operational complexity, regulated industries, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a high-stakes environment. Candidates should be ready to showcase how they translate complex needs into user-friendly solutions that enhance safety and efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position at Joby Aviation:

• Submit your application through the official careers portal at careers-jobyaviation.icims.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most relevant projects that showcase complex systems design, enterprise tools, or operational workflow solutions. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your role, the design process, the implemented solution, and any measurable impact.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of product design experience, specific skills in Figma/Sketch, experience with user research and usability testing, and any background relevant to enterprise software, complex systems, or regulated industries. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your selected portfolio projects. Be ready to articulate your design decisions, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style, connecting your experience to Joby Aviation's mission and the EEAT team's objectives.

• Research Joby Aviation: Thoroughly understand Joby's mission, technology (eVTOLs), FAA certification progress, and company values. Be prepared to discuss why you are passionate about contributing to their specific goals and how your skills align with their operational needs.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.