Senior / Principal Engineer – Electric Engine Lead

About Electra

Air travel is about to become something more: more direct, more accessible, and more connected to the places where people live, work and want to be. Every day in the U.S., people make 35 million trips of 50–500 miles, stuck in traffic or routed through crowded hubs. Chances are, you've been one of them. At Electra, we're changing that with the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in just 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology opens up thousands of new places to fly, beyond conventional runways, congested airports and long drives. We're backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and Safran. Operators worldwide have signed intent-to-purchase agreements for the first 2,200 aircraft we produce, and we're moving toward first test flights in 2027.

Getting a new kind of aircraft airborne takes more than ambition. It takes our kind of bold: people who think big while working in the real world. Who move ideas into action and collaborate without silos. Who put people first and make room at the table for everyone. Who challenge one another without diminishing one another.

Sound like you? Then look beyond what you thought were your own limits, and help us take flight beyond runways.

The Role

As a Senior / Principal Engineer – Electric Engine Lead, you will serve as the technical authority for development of the electric engine(s) on the EL9 Ultra Short Aircraft.

You will refine requirements, guide supplier development, serve as approval authority on supplier design reviews, develop and define interfaces internally and externally and ensure delivered hardware meets Electra's performance, safety, and certification standards. You will play a critical role in ensuring electric propulsion systems are fully integrated, validated, and compliant within a highly coupled hybrid-electric aircraft architecture.

This is a highly cross-functional and externally facing role, requiring strong technical judgment, supplier engagement, and systems thinking.

What You'll Do

Serve as the technical owner for electric engine development, including supplier-developed hardware, across the full lifecycle from requirements through certification

Refine electric engine requirements, interfaces, and acceptance criteria, and ensure alignment with aircraft-level performance, safety, and integration needs

Provide technical oversight of suppliers, including design reviews, analysis/test evaluation, and issue resolution to ensure compliant, high-quality deliverables

Lead integration of the electric engine with the propeller, electrical systems, and airframe, ensuring proper functionality, reliability, and maintainability

Support certification activities by authoring specifications, test plans, compliance artifacts, contributing to safety assessments, and ensuring supplier deliverables meet regulatory expectations

Collaborate cross-functionally and support system- and aircraft-level verification, including ground and flight testing

What You'll Bring

Bachelor's degree and 8+ years (Senior) or 10+ years (Principal) of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Strong understanding of electric propulsion systems (motors, inverters/power electronics, cooling) and their application in aircraft or similar systems

Experience integrating complex subsystems into a larger platform, including interface definition and system-level considerations

Familiarity with systems engineering practices, including requirements development, validation, and traceability per SAE ARP4754

Knowledge of certification processes (FAA Part 23/25 or equivalent) and safety-critical development practices (FHA, FMEA, FTA) per SAE ARP4761

Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across internal teams and external partners

Experience managing suppliers to meet deliverables on-time with high quality in the face of multiple risks

Bonus Points

Experience overseeing suppliers in the development of aircraft electric propulsion systems (motors, inverters, or integrated electric propulsion units)

Prior involvement in aircraft certification programs, including engagement with FAA or equivalent authorities

Familiarity with hybrid-electric aircraft systems and power architectures

Experience with electric machine/motor control development, motor modeling, or plant characterization and integration with powertrain controls

Experience with fault-tolerant or redundant propulsion architectures and safety-critical design considerations

Leveling Expectations

Final leveling (Senior or Principal) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, demonstrated skills, and degree of independence and autonomy appropriate for the role.

Both levels require a strong foundation in engineering principles and the ability to solve complex technical problems. Differentiation between levels is based on degree of ownership, autonomy, and influence.

Senior Engineer

Applies broad engineering knowledge to solve complex problems, working under limited direction

Independently develops approaches and executes within assigned scope (supplier oversight, integration, compliance)

Collaborates effectively and drives issue resolution with minimal guidance

Principal Engineer

Applies deep, broad expertise to solve complex, cross-cutting technical problems

Exercises significant autonomy in defining objectives, approaches, and technical direction

Serves as a technical authority, influencing decisions and owning outcomes across the electric propulsion domain

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.

Compensation Range $130,000 — $180,000 USD

What We Offer

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; STD, LTD, and life insurance

Generous PTO, sick leave, and company holidays

Paid winter break

401(k) with immediate vesting

Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks, and drinks at our Manassas headquarters

Free on-site parking

Electra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position may be subject to ITAR requirements.