Lead Flight Test Instrumentation 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>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Role</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The<strong> Lead</strong> <strong>Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer </strong>supports the instrumentation and testing of our hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. This is an incredible hands-on opportunity to support our projects and flight test team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What You'll Do</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Support aircraft Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) system development, integration, calibration/verification and operation.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Manage aircraft data acquisition, telemetry, processing and storage.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Work with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to establish instrumentation requirements and maintain a Master Parameter List.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Liaise between engineering, technicians and the test organization.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Other duties may be assigned.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>What You'll Bring</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, electrical, computer engineering, or related field.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5+ years' experience designing, integrating, calibrating and troubleshooting aircraft instrumentation.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Experience with data acquisition systems (e.g. TTC, NI, ACRA).</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Experience with sensor characteristics (range, accuracy, frequency response, etc.)</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to operate independently in fast-paced test environment.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ability to collaborate effectively with a high-performance team.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Excellent oral and written communication skills.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Bonus Points</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Practical experience with standard avionics communication protocols such as CAN bus and ARINC 429.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Experience developing basic software for process automation (C++, Python, etc.)</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">US Person (Citizen or Green Card) preferred.</span></li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on your relevant experience, skills, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.</p></div><div class="title">Compensation Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$155,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$195,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p><span style="font-size: 12p