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Salary: USD 160,800 - 221,100 / annual
Joby Aviation is developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The company is in final FAA certification stages and preparing to launch commercial service in the US and Dubai.
The Safety Senior Manager will lead Blade's (Joby's air taxi service) comprehensive safety programs across all lines of business. This is a director-level role responsible for safety governance, regulatory compliance, operator oversight, and the development of safety frameworks for the introduction of eVTOL aircraft into New York City operations.
Key responsibilities include:
**Safety Governance & Leadership**: Define and execute Blade's safety strategy, policy, and objectives aligned with executive leadership. Serve as primary safety liaison to regulators, industry bodies, insurers, and operator leadership. Oversee internal safety teams, contract auditors, and third-party audit providers.
**Part 135 Operator Oversight**: Manage the annual audit program for contracted helicopter, seaplane, and fixed-wing operators. Lead safety reviews, event investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action plans. Partner with Joby Safety to train auditors and support operator SMS maturation under FAA Part 5 requirements.
**Ground, Workplace & Emergency Safety**: Direct station-level safety procedures, hazard assessments, and PPE standards across all locations. Own the Blade Ground Operations Manual and coordinate NATA/flightline training. Maintain and test the Emergency Response Plan.
**eVTOL/eIPP Program Development**: Lead safety management for eIPP operations supporting Joby's S4 eVTOL aircraft integration in New York, including vertiport and electric aircraft ground operations. Perform comprehensive safety and hazard assessments for new infrastructure and facilities.
The role requires full-time onsite presence at Blade Operations in NYC with approximately 25% travel.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in aviation, safety, engineering, or related field (or equivalent work experience)
- Minimum 8+ years of progressive, expert-level aviation safety experience
- Broad technical expertise across aviation safety disciplines
- Proven experience managing SMS frameworks, audit standards, or regulatory compliance programs
- Working knowledge of 14 CFR Part 135 operations and FAA Part 5 Safety Management Systems
- Proven experience directly leading, managing, and mentoring safety or operations teams
**Desired qualifications:**
- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in aviation safety
- Flight safety experience, including leading a safety department
- Formal safety training (Military, FAA, NTSB, SCSI, USC, ERAU, or equivalent)
- Qualified lead auditor experience (IS-BAO, ARGUS, Wyvern, BARS, or military standards)
- Familiarity with OSHA standards, eVTOL/vertiport operations, or electric aircraft systems
- FAA Commercial Helicopter certificate (airplane experience a strong plus)
- Experience collaborating with regulatory agencies or managing third-party agreements and budgets
