The J.I was developed as an interim ground attack aircraft, being redesigned from the C.IV to feature armour plating and the more powerful Benz Bz IV piston engine.

Multiple J.IIs served the first sustained daily passenger aeroplane service in the world, between the German cities of Berlin and Weimar, launched by Deutsche Luft-Reederei on 5 February 1919.

The principal changes between the C.IV and the J.I were the adoption of the more powerful Benz Bz IV in-line piston engine along with an armoured fuselage, the former helping to offset the additional 860 lb of weight of the latter.

Ammunition was belt-fed from a relatively large supply drum, while aiming was achieved via a rudimentary sight in the form of a circular hole in the forward-righthand side of the cockpit.

All of the flight control surfaces, other than the lower ailerons, were redesigned; the incorporation of overhanging horn balances made the two models visually distinct from one another.

Multiple J.IIs served the first sustained daily passenger aeroplane service in the world, between the German cities of Berlin and Weimar, flown by Deutsche Luft-Reederei.

Early commercial J.IIs retained open cockpits, but modified versions with enclosed cabins for the two passengers were quickly produced and replaced them.