About Electra
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.
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+ letters of intent 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.
The Role
As a Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer at Electra, you'll be a key contributor to the design, development, and integration of mechanical systems on the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. Working within a cross-functional team, you'll take ownership of system requirements, drive design decisions through PDR and CDR, manage supplier relationships, and ensure your systems meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards. This is a hands-on role with real program impact at a critical stage of development.
What You'll Do
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Lead the design and development of mechanical systems - including hydraulics, landing gear, ECS, fuel systems, and other vehicle-level systems - ensuring work is delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
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Develop system requirements, design specifications, and supporting documentation in compliance with regulatory and program standards.
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Perform performance analysis and simulations to verify that mechanical systems meet aircraft-level requirements.
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Define supplier statements of work, review supplier designs, and manage vendor performance through PDR, CDR, and into hardware delivery - tracking deliverables and holding suppliers accountable to airworthiness and schedule requirements.
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Ensure integration of mechanical systems with adjacent subsystems - avionics, electrical, propulsion - and troubleshoot cross-discipline integration issues.
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Prepare, review, and approve engineering deliverables including analyses, drawings, models, design reviews, and reports.
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Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and contribute to a culture of engineering rigor and continuous improvement.
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Collaborate with engineering, operations, program leadership, and certification leads to support successful program execution.
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Support FAA Part 23 certification activities as systems progress toward type certification.
What You Bring
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Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
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Hands-on experience with aircraft mechanical systems design and integration - hydraulics, flight controls, ECS, fuel systems, landing gear, or similar.
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Experience leading cross-functional teams or supplier relationships through design phases (PDR/CDR) on aerospace programs.
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Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., SAE ARP4754) and aviation regulations; exposure to FAA certification processes a plus.
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Proficiency with CAD tools; NX and Teamcenter experience preferred.
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Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
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Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with limited oversight.
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US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required.
Bonus Points
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Experience with FAA Part 23 or Part 25 certification programs.
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Background in hydraulic power systems, fluid power design, or mechanisms.
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Experience working in a startup or high-growth aerospace environment.
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Private pilot certificate.
What We Offer
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Competitive salary and equity
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance
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Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays
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Paid winter break
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401(k) with immediate vesting
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Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters
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Free on-site parking
