Joby Aviation Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Joby Aviation, located in Northern California, is at the forefront of revolutionizing air transportation with its mission to create an affordable, all-electric air taxi system.

As a Senior Product Manager at Joby Aviation, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of aviation manufacturing systems. Your responsibilities will include owning multiple features across Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Quality Control systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product designers and software engineers, to ensure the successful launch of Joby's innovative aircraft. A strong background in product management, particularly within manufacturing or software systems, is essential. Ideal candidates will demonstrate tactical skills, a proven track record of delivering user-centric products, and the ability to thrive in ambiguous situations. Additionally, an interest in aviation technology and experience with project management tools will set you apart.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to excel in your interview for the Product Manager role at Joby Aviation, helping you to articulate your qualifications and align your experiences with the company's mission and values.

The interview process for a Product Manager at Joby Aviation is structured to assess both technical expertise and product management skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's innovative vision. The process typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step is an introductory call with a recruiter, lasting about 30 minutes. This conversation focuses on your background, interest in the role, and understanding of Joby Aviation's mission. The recruiter will gauge your fit for the company culture and discuss your relevant experiences in product management and manufacturing systems.

2. Hiring Manager Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will have a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager. This session, which lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour, delves deeper into your product management experience, particularly in manufacturing or internal company software. Expect detailed questions about your past projects, decision-making processes, and how you handle ambiguity in product development.

3. Case Study

Candidates will then be presented with a case study relevant to the role. This exercise assesses your analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to product strategy. You will be expected to outline your thought process, gather requirements, and propose solutions that align with Joby’s goals. This stage is crucial for demonstrating your tactical skills and understanding of product management principles.

4. Panel Interview

The final stage involves a panel interview with multiple stakeholders, including product team members, engineers, and possibly representatives from manufacturing. This round typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour per session. The panel will ask questions that cover a range of topics, including your technical domain expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and ability to manage product backlogs. This format allows the team to evaluate how well you can operate within a collaborative environment and your capacity to build strong partnerships across various departments.

As you prepare for these interviews, it's essential to reflect on your experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Product Manager at Joby Aviation. Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Joby Aviation is comprehensive and consists of multiple rounds, including an introductory call, a hiring manager round, a case study, and a panel interview. Each session lasts between 45 minutes to an hour, so be prepared to engage in detailed discussions about your product management experience and technical expertise. Familiarize yourself with the structure to manage your time effectively and ensure you cover all necessary points.

Prepare for Open-Ended Questions

Expect a significant focus on open-ended questions, particularly regarding your work transitions and experiences. Joby values candidates who can articulate their thought processes and decision-making strategies. Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver results in complex environments. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses clearly.

Showcase Your Technical Acumen

As a Senior Product Manager focusing on manufacturing systems, you will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of ERP, MES, and quality systems. Brush up on relevant technical concepts and be ready to discuss how you have utilized data and metrics to drive product improvements in your previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with cloud and on-premise environments, as well as application deployment technologies like AWS and Kubernetes.

Emphasize Cross-Functional Collaboration

Joby emphasizes the importance of cross-functional teamwork. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully collaborated with various stakeholders, including product, design, and engineering teams. Share examples of how you have built strong partnerships and navigated differing priorities to achieve common goals. This will demonstrate your ability to operate effectively in a collaborative environment.

Align with Joby’s Mission and Values

Joby Aviation is driven by a mission to create an affordable, all-electric air transportation system. Show your passion for this vision and how your background aligns with their goals. If you have an interest in aviation or new transportation technologies, make sure to express this during your interview. Your enthusiasm for the company's mission can set you apart from other candidates.

Be Ready for Case Studies

The case study round will likely require you to analyze a problem and propose a solution. Practice case study interviews that focus on product management scenarios, particularly those related to manufacturing or technology. Be prepared to think critically and articulate your reasoning clearly. This is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to think strategically.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of your interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to inquire about the company culture, team dynamics, and the specific challenges the product team is currently facing. Asking thoughtful questions not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if Joby is the right fit for you.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Senior Product Manager role at Joby Aviation. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Joby Aviation. The interview process is designed to assess your product management experience, technical domain expertise, and ability to navigate ambiguity. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past experiences in product management, particularly in manufacturing systems, and demonstrate their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Product Management Experience

1. Can you describe a product you managed from conception to launch? What were the key challenges you faced?

This question aims to understand your end-to-end product management experience and how you handle challenges.

How to Answer

Focus on a specific product, detailing your role in its development, the challenges encountered, and how you overcame them. Highlight your decision-making process and the impact of your actions.

Example

“I managed the development of a new manufacturing software tool that streamlined our production process. One key challenge was integrating it with existing systems, which required extensive collaboration with IT. By organizing cross-functional workshops, we identified integration points early, which led to a successful launch ahead of schedule.”

2. How do you prioritize features in your product backlog?

This question assesses your ability to manage competing priorities and make data-driven decisions.

How to Answer

Discuss your prioritization framework, such as using metrics, user feedback, and business goals. Emphasize how you balance short-term needs with long-term vision.

Example

“I prioritize features based on a combination of user impact, alignment with business goals, and development effort. I use a scoring system that weighs these factors, ensuring that we focus on high-impact features that drive user satisfaction while also considering our strategic objectives.”

3. Describe a time when you had to pivot your product strategy. What led to that decision?

This question evaluates your adaptability and strategic thinking.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where market feedback or data prompted a change in direction. Explain the rationale behind the pivot and the outcome.

Example

“During the development of a new quality assurance tool, user testing revealed that our initial features were not addressing the core pain points. Based on this feedback, we pivoted to focus on real-time analytics, which significantly improved user engagement and satisfaction.”

4. How do you gather and incorporate user feedback into your product development process?

This question looks at your approach to user-centered design and continuous improvement.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for collecting feedback, such as surveys, interviews, or usability testing, and how you integrate that feedback into your product iterations.

Example

“I regularly conduct user interviews and surveys to gather feedback on our products. I also analyze usage data to identify patterns. This feedback informs our sprint planning, ensuring that we address user needs in each iteration.”

Technical Domain Expertise

5. What experience do you have with ERP and MES systems?

This question assesses your familiarity with critical manufacturing systems relevant to the role.

How to Answer

Detail your experience with these systems, including specific projects or roles where you utilized them. Highlight any improvements you made or challenges you overcame.

Example

“I have over five years of experience working with ERP systems, specifically in optimizing inventory management processes. In my last role, I led a project that integrated MES with our ERP, resulting in a 20% reduction in production downtime.”

6. How do you approach data analysis when making product decisions?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and how you leverage data in your decision-making.

How to Answer

Explain your process for analyzing data, including the tools you use and how you translate data insights into actionable product strategies.

Example

“I utilize tools like SQL and Excel for data analysis, focusing on key performance indicators that align with our product goals. For instance, I analyzed user engagement metrics to identify drop-off points in our software, which led to targeted improvements that increased retention by 15%.”

7. Can you discuss a time when you faced ambiguity in a project? How did you handle it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills in uncertain situations.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you encountered ambiguity, detailing your approach to clarify the situation and make informed decisions.

Example

“While working on a new product feature, we faced ambiguity regarding user requirements. I organized a series of workshops with stakeholders to gather insights and clarify expectations, which helped us define a clear roadmap and move forward confidently.”

8. What role does cross-functional collaboration play in your product management process?

This question evaluates your ability to work with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience collaborating with different departments, emphasizing the importance of communication and teamwork in achieving product goals.

Example

“Cross-functional collaboration is crucial in my process. I regularly engage with engineering, design, and marketing teams to ensure alignment on product vision and execution. For example, during a recent project, I facilitated weekly syncs that improved communication and led to a smoother launch.”

Strategic Thinking

9. How do you define success for a product?

This question assesses your understanding of product metrics and success criteria.

How to Answer

Explain the metrics you use to measure success, including user engagement, revenue growth, or customer satisfaction, and how you track these over time.

Example

“I define success through a combination of user engagement metrics, such as active users and retention rates, alongside business metrics like revenue growth. I regularly review these metrics post-launch to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.”

10. What strategies do you use to ensure your product aligns with the company’s overall vision?

This question evaluates your ability to connect product goals with broader company objectives.

How to Answer

Discuss how you align your product strategy with the company’s mission and vision, including stakeholder engagement and strategic planning.

Example

“I ensure alignment by regularly reviewing our company’s strategic goals and incorporating them into our product roadmap. I also engage with leadership to gather insights on priorities, which helps me align our product initiatives with the overall vision of the company.”