News/Career Corner

Your ticket to a new career path?

Five letters: eVTOL

What’s going on

Joby Aviation, a major eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) player just struck black gold in Saudi Arabia, landing a $1 billion deal with investor Abdul Latif Jameel. Why should you care? Because this is a huge win for electric flight. It’s not just hype anymore—it’s funding, infrastructure, and traction. Joby Aviation already pulled $500 million from Toyota in late 2024, a not-so-small step, but this latest deal might be the giant leap eVTOL has been waiting for.

Why this matters for you

eVTOL isn’t exclusive to overseas markets. The FAA recently finalized new rules for the “powered-lift” category of aircraft. That’s right—there’s now an official regulatory framework for these vehicles to operate in the U.S. and here’s the kicker: powered-lift aircraft still need A&P mechanics.

You’re not being left behind—you’re being elevated.
This means more jobs, more mobility, and more places to work as electric aircraft take flight.

Five eVTOL companies you could work for

Joby Aviation - Santa Cruz, California

Joby is building quiet, all-electric aircraft for high-speed, zero-emission urban air travel. Their aircraft carries four passengers and a pilot at speeds up to 200 mph—think air taxi, not rideshare. With over 30,000 miles flown, FAA Part 135 certification, and commercial launches planned by 2025–2026, they’re backed by Toyota, Delta, and Uber’s Elevate team.

Archer – San Jose, California

Their flagship aircraft, Midnight, is designed for short-range city travel—in places like LA, Miami, and New York. Archer already holds FAA certs and is gearing up for commercial launch by 2025–2026.

BETA Technologies – Vermont & Northeast USA

BETA’s aircraft aren’t just for passengers—they’re flying now, supporting critical roles like organ transport, medical missions, and regional logistics. These aren’t ideas on a whiteboard—they’re already airborne. Imagine flying in a massive drone.

Vertical Aerospace – Bristol, UK

Vertical is developing the VX4, a five-seat eVTOL aircraft aimed at fast, quiet, zero-emission hops between urban and regional hubs. With test flights completed, certification is underway with plans to enter commercial service by 2025.

Eve Air Mobility – São José dos Campos, Brazil

Spun off from Embraer, Eve is building a four-passenger lift+cruise eVTOL with a 100 km range and a noise profile 90% quieter than helicopters. They’re aiming for service entry in 2026—with nearly 3,000 pre-orders already secured.

Where you come in

eVTOL is no longer fiction—it’s a career path.
The FAA is on board. Investors are all in. And soon, companies will be hiring.

If you’re looking for the next big thing, it’s already here—and it’s electric.

Author: Nathan LaVoie