Airframe Design Engineer

About the company

Electra develops hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft with distributed electric propulsion and blown lift, turbine genset in-flight recharging, carrying 7–9 passengers or ~3,000 lb from very short unimproved runways.

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>About Electra</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At Electra, we’re building the EL9 — a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology unlocks thousands of new operating locations and enables what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, point-to-point regional travel that gets people from where they are to where they want to go, without the congestion of major airports or the noise of conventional aviation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A global company, headquartered in Manassas, VA, Electra is backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and Safran, has filed for FAA Part 23 type certification, and carries 2,000+ intent to purchase from operators worldwide. We’re a team of ~100 people moving fast toward first EL9 test flights in 2027 and certification by late 2029 or 2030. Every hire matters at this stage — and this role is no exception.</span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Role</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Electra is seeking a <strong>Airframe Design Engineer</strong> to help the design, integration, and development of primary and secondary structures for our nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In this role, you will support major structural design deliverables, collaborate deeply with multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure the aircraft's structures meet performance, safety, manufacturability, and certification goals. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer ready to contribute at a high level while influencing design decisions across multiple aircraft systems.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This role is based at our Manassas, VA headquarters, with on-site presence strongly preferred, and includes occasional travel (under 10%).</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What You'll Do</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support the design and development of primary and secondary airframe structures, including fuselage, wing, empennage, and landing gear integration.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assist with structural design tasks from concept through detailed design and into certification, ensuring compliance with performance, manufacturability, maintainability, and safety requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work with structural requirements, material selections, and design criteria in support of applicable airworthiness regulations.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, systems, manufacturing, stress, and certification teams to ensure integrated and optimized structural solutions.</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Produce high-quality design documentation, including 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, ICDs, and supporting design reports</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Execute trade studies evaluating materials, configurations, manufacturing approaches, and integration options to balance weight, cost, and performance</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support structural analysis activities by working closely with stress engineers on static, dynamic, and fatigue considerations</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Participate in design reviews and provide technical mentorship to early-career engineers</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work with suppliers on manufacturability, design-for-production, and technical issue resolution</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Contribute to continuous improvement in Electra's structural design methods, tools, and development processes</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stay informed on emerging technologies, advanced materials, and evolving FAA certification requirements for new aircraft types</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Su<span data-teams="true">pport CAD admin duties such as tool and process development for designers</span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What You Bring</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor's degree in A