Principal Battery Systems 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;">As our Principal Battery Systems Engineer, you'll own the design, integration, and verification of battery systems for the EL9 — from early requirements definition through FAA Part 23 certification and entry into service. You'll work at the intersection of propulsion, electrical systems, and thermal management, managing key suppliers and collaborating across disciplines to ensure our energy storage architecture meets the rigorous safety and performance standards our aircraft demands.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is a high-ownership, high-visibility engineering role on a program with real momentum. You'll interface directly with certification authorities, contribute to safety analyses, and help determine how the EL9's battery system evolves as the technology landscape advances.</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;">Own battery system development for the EL9, from requirements definition through certification and entry into service</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Define system-level requirements, performance targets, and safety criteria for aircraft battery systems</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Manage battery system supplier(s) to mitigate technical risks and meet program milestones</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 battery architecture trade studies, thermal management strategies, and electrical interface definition</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lead integration of the battery system with aircraft propulsion, electrical, and thermal management systems, including aircraft installation, maintenance definition, and thermal runaway mitigation</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 battery model development for inclusion in propulsion, aircraft systems electrical, and cost models</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Develop and execute verification and validation plans for battery systems, including simulation, lab testing, and flight test activities</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 closely with cross-functional teams in propulsion, avionics, safety, testing, and regulatory compliance to ensure seamless 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;">Conduct and support safety analyses, including fault tree analysis (FTA), failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and thermal runaway risk assessments</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Interface with regulatory authorities (FAA, EASA) to support certification activities, including demonstrating compliance with Part 23 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;">Author and maintain technical documentation including specifications, test plans, compliance reports, and certification artifacts</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Monitor industry trends and advances in battery technology to inform future upgrades and product improvements</span></li> <li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Other duties as assigned</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,