Senior/Principal Airframe Stress Engineer

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.

About Electra

At Electra, we're building hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft that redefine regional air travel. Our technology enables aircraft to take off and land in soccer field-sized spaces, unlocking thousands of new operating locations and enabling what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, efficient, point-to-point travel closer to where people live and work.

A global company headquartered in Manassas, VA, with additional operations in Switzerland, Electra is backed by industry leaders and is advancing toward certification. We're a growing team of innovators working at the forefront of sustainable aviation-every hire plays a critical role in shaping the future of flight.

The Role

As a Senior or Principal Airframe Stress Engineer, you will lead structural analysis efforts supporting the development, certification, and production of Electra's flagship hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft. This role is responsible for ensuring the structural integrity of metallic and composite airframe components through detailed analysis, testing, and certification substantiation.

You will work closely with design engineering, loads, materials & processes, manufacturing, structural test, suppliers, and certification teams to develop robust airframe structures that meet performance, safety, and FAA certification requirements. The ideal candidate combines deep structural analysis expertise with strong engineering judgment and the ability to influence aircraft design decisions throughout the product lifecycle.

What You'll Do

Support development of major airframe structures from preliminary design through certification, production launch, and manufacturing ramp-up

Perform static strength, fatigue, and durability analyses for metallic and composite aircraft structures

Develop structural substantiation methods and analysis plans supporting FAA Part 23 type certification

Create and validate finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent analysis tools

Perform detailed hand calculations using industry-standard methodologies and references including:

Bruhn

Niu

Roark

ESDU

Classical mechanics of materials approaches

Collaborate with loads, design, materials & processes, manufacturing, structural test, and certification teams throughout the entire development process

Support trade studies and structural design optimization activities

Define structural analysis requirements and certification substantiation plans

Review and approve design dispositions and engineering analyses

Support component, subassembly, and full-scale structural testing activities, including:

Test planning

Requirements definition

Instrumentation support

Data review

Test reporting

Prepare structural substantiation reports and certification documentation

Present structural analyses and recommendations during internal and external design reviews

Support supplier technical reviews and provide guidance on structural analysis methodologies

Contribute to the establishment of structural analysis processes, best practices, and design standards

What You'll Bring

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Experience in airframe structural analysis supporting aircraft development programs

Strong knowledge of metallic and composite aircraft structures

Experience supporting FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25 aircraft certification programs

Advanced proficiency with FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent finite element analysis tools

Experience with NX or similar CAD platforms

Strong understanding of:

Aircraft loads

Free body diagrams

Structural load paths

Mechanics of materials

Structural stability and failure modes

Advanced proficiency performing both hand calculations and finite element analyses

Experience developing structural substantiation reports and certification documentation

Strong technical writing and communication skills

Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Experience supporting aircraft programs from conceptual design through certification and production

Experience with composite airframe design and certification

Experience supporting structural testing and correlation of analytical models

Familiarity with hybrid-electric, eSTOL, eVTOL, or advanced air mobility aircraft programs

Experience working directly with regulatory authorities during certification efforts

Experience mentoring engineers and reviewing structural analyses

U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Location & Travel

Location: Manassas, VA Headquarters. This position requires regular onsite presence to support collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and test teams.

Travel: Minimal

Leveling Expectations

Level (Senior or Principal) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, technical expertise, demonstrated leadership, and ability to influence aircraft development decisions.

Both levels require expertise in aircraft structural analysis, certification substantiation, and aircraft development. Differentiation is based on technical leadership, scope of responsibility, independence, and organizational influence.

Senior Airframe Stress Engineer (8+ Years)

Demonstrates strong expertise in aircraft structural analysis and airframe certification

Independently performs static, fatigue, and damage tolerance analyses

Develops structural substantiation packages for FAA certification activities

Creates and validates finite element models and analytical methodologies

Collaborates effectively across design, loads, certification, and test organizations

Supports structural testing, correlation activities, and certification efforts

Provides technical guidance within assigned programs and workstreams

Drives resolution of complex structural engineering challenges with minimal supervision

Principal Airframe Stress Engineer (10+ Years)

Recognized subject matter expert in aircraft structural analysis and certification

Leads major structural development efforts across large airframe assemblies and programs

Establishes structural analysis methodologies, standards, and best practices

Serves as a key technical authority for certification substantiation strategies

Drives structural architecture decisions balancing weight, manufacturability, performance, and certification requirements

Leads critical technical reviews and influences program-level engineering decisions

Mentors engineers across the organization and elevates overall technical capability

Acts as a primary interface with certification authorities, suppliers, and external partners on structural matters

Provides strategic technical leadership throughout aircraft development, certification, and production readiness efforts

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.