What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Systems Test Engineer - Flight Controls position at Electra.aero?
Principal Systems Test Engineer, Flight Control System
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 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.
The Role
As our Principal Systems Test Engineer, you'll be the technical lead driving development of the test environments for the EL9 flight control system. This is a hands-on leadership role - you'll mentor junior engineers, own the architecture of our simulation labs, and build the data management and automated test processes that engineering depends on to move the EL9 toward certification.
What You'll Do
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 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.
The Role
As our Principal Systems Test Engineer, you'll be the technical lead driving development of the test environments for the EL9 flight control system. This is a hands-on leadership role - you'll mentor junior engineers, own the architecture of our simulation labs, and build the data management and automated test processes that engineering depends on to move the EL9 toward certification.
What You'll Do
- Lead and mentor development of software and hardware in the loop simulation labs.
- Lead and mentor data management of all testing for use by engineering.
- Build automated test processes of flight hardware and software, supporting rapid iterations and robust regression testing.
- Serve as a key contact for all ground testing and instrumentation with internal customer organizations.
- Bachelor's in Aerospace or related engineering degree or equivalent experience. (aerospace/electrical/software preferred)
- 10 years experience in systems ground tests and instrumentation. Preferably experience with test and evaluation at an aircraft manufacturer.
- Experience integrating flight hardware with a real-time simulation environment
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines preferred
- CAA (FAA/EASA) aircraft certification experience preferred
- U.S. Person preferred
- Competitive salary and equity
- 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