Vaibhav Billy Kumar

About Vaibhav Billy Kumar

I’m an aerospace engineer specializing in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) and advanced simulation systems, with 6+ years driving innovation in flight control design and validation for crewed and autonomous aircraft. As an early-stage engineer at Joby Aviation, I\'ve played a pivotal role in developing flight control technologies, simulation tools, and models that are reshaping urban air mobility—creating safe, sustainable, and radically efficient solutions for future transportation.Before Joby, I founded AirLogs, a startup simplifying aircraft logbook research for aviation mechanics, demonstrating my passion for streamlining industry workflows. My technical foundation includes deep expertise in flight dynamics, control system design, sensor integration, and high-fidelity simulation, reinforced by hands-on aviation experience as a fixed-wing pilot and mechanic.Recognized by Aviation Week’s Twenty 20s, Atlanta Inno’s 25 Under 25, and prestigious awards from AIAA and VFS, my work has influenced both academic research and industry practices through publications in aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. I actively contribute to the aerospace community as a member of technical committees for SAE International, the Vertical Flight Society, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, collaborating on standards development and policy initiatives that shape the industry\'s future.Beyond technical achievements, I’m committed to empowering the next generation of aerospace leaders. Through speaking engagements, mentorship, and strategic investments, my goal is to ignite innovation, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit across the aerospace community.

Experience

1. Modeling and Simulation Senior Software Engineer

   Joby Aviation

   Jan 2024 — Present

   development of high-fidelity plant models for flight dynamics, multibody dynamics and flight sensors used for closed loop simulation, control law design and navigation filter tuning and robustness

Education

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  Bachelor's Degree, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  Master of Science - MS, Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering

Skills

• Research
• Aerospace Engineering
• Matlab
• Entrepreneurship
• Javascript
• 3d Modeling
• Physics
• Plasma Physics
• Aerodynamics
• Experimental Physics
• Aeroacoustics
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• Solidworks
• Computer-Aided Design (Cad)
• Ansys
• Comsol