What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Instrumentation Engineer position at Electra.aero?
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 Senior Instrumentation Engineer, you'll design, build, and maintain the instrumentation and data acquisition systems that power Electra's ground and flight test programs. This is a hands-on technical role with high visibility - the quality of your work directly determines the quality of the data engineering relies on to advance the EL9 toward FAA Part 23 certification. You'll work closely with the Systems Test Manager and flight test team to stand up a capability built for a certification program, not adapted from one.
What You'll Do
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 Senior Instrumentation Engineer, you'll design, build, and maintain the instrumentation and data acquisition systems that power Electra's ground and flight test programs. This is a hands-on technical role with high visibility - the quality of your work directly determines the quality of the data engineering relies on to advance the EL9 toward FAA Part 23 certification. You'll work closely with the Systems Test Manager and flight test team to stand up a capability built for a certification program, not adapted from one.
What You'll Do
- Design, install, and maintain sensor systems, signal conditioning hardware, and data acquisition systems for ground and flight test applications.
- Develop and manage data acquisition architectures that capture test data across avionics, propulsion, structural, and flight control systems.
- Collaborate with test and engineering teams to define instrumentation requirements and ensure data quality meets certification standards.
- Develop calibration procedures and maintain traceability of all instrumentation systems.
- Support SIL/HIL lab development with instrumentation integration and signal interface design.
- Troubleshoot instrumentation anomalies in real time during ground and flight test operations.
- Document instrumentation designs, configurations, and test procedures to support FAA certification activities.
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or related engineering degree or equivalent experience (aerospace, electrical, or mechanical preferred).
- 8 years of experience in instrumentation and data acquisition for aerospace ground or flight test programs.
- Hands-on experience with sensor selection, signal conditioning, and DAS hardware (e.g., Curtiss-Wright, Amphenol, HBK, or similar).
- Proficiency with instrumentation software and data processing tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or equivalent).
- Experience developing instrumentation plans and test procedures in support of CAA (FAA/EASA) certification programs preferred.
- Strong understanding of avionics, propulsion, or structural test environments.
- S. Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required.
- 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.