Principal Flight Controls Engineer

Principal Flight Controls Engineer

About Electra

At Electra, we're pioneering sustainable aviation by developing hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft designed to transform regional air mobility by making air travel more efficient, quieter, and environmentally friendly. Able to operate from soccer field-sized spaces, our Ultra Short unlocks a new era of aviation through what we call Direct Aviation - the next level of connectivity bringing air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, with additional locations in Switzerland, we're building a diverse team of global professionals passionate about redefining the future of aviation.

Position Overview

Electra.aero is seeking a Principal Flight Controls Engineer to serve as a senior technical authority and flight controls certification subject‑matter expert for the EL9 Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft. This role works in close partnership with the Flight Controls System IPT Lead, providing deep expertise in certification, safety, and verification to support system development from detailed design through certification and entry into service.

As the program transitions into detailed design, this role will have increasing focus on functional certification planning, system‑level verification, and authority engagement, while enabling IPT leadership through technical mentorship and risk reduction.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Act as the flight controls certification focal for the EL9 program, owning the functional certification approach.
• Lead development and maintenance of the flight controls functional certification plan.
• Translate regulatory requirements and system safety assessments into certifiable flight control functions.
• Provide technical oversight for verification planning and execution across:
  • Analysis and simulation
  • Software‑in‑the‑Loop (SIL) and Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop (HIL)
  • Ground and flight test
• Partner with the Flight Controls IPT Lead to:
  • Support system architecture decisions
  • Assess certification impacts of design changes
  • Retire certification and verification risk
• Support system safety activities, including FHA, PSSA, and SSA alignment
• Interface with certification authorities and support technical discussions, reviews, and issue resolution
• Mentor flight controls engineers in certification, verification, and systems thinking
• Coordinate across disciplines including systems engineering, safety, software, propulsion, and flight test
• Support certification closure and entry‑into‑service readiness

Required Education and Experience

• B.S. in Aerospace Engineering or related STEM discipline
• 10+ years of experience in flight controls or related aerospace systems development
• Experience supporting aircraft certification and verification activities on safety‑critical systems

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of aircraft flight control systems and architectures
• Demonstrated experience with certification planning and compliance for aerospace systems
• Ability to operate as a technical authority and in‑house subject‑matter expert
• Excellent communication skills, including authority‑facing technical discussions
• Experience with MATLAB / Simulink-based control development and verification environments
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across IPTs and disciplines

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred
• Experience with fly‑by‑wire aircraft from development through certification
• Experience with system‑level verification and integration testing
• Familiarity with eSTOL, powered‑lift, or novel aircraft configurations
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), certification procedures, and industry standards
• Prior experience acting as a certification focal or technical lead
• US Person (Citizen or Green Card) preferred
• Licensed Pilot preferred

Location:

Headquarters in Manassas, VA.  To encourage close collaboration, this position is strongly preferred to be on-site.

Travel

• < 25%

Salary: Electra's salary range for this position is: $140,000.00-190,000.00 Our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum range for the Company level overall across all locations & projects and do not necessarily reflect the budgeted amount for this position. Individual pay is based on additional factors, including project budgets, job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training, role, level, location, and project.

Compensation and Benefits

In addition to offering an exciting work environment and the opportunity to be part of the team making Ultra Short flight a reality, at Electra, we offer an unparalleled total rewards package. Electra offers employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and life insurance, generous PTO and sick leave, company holidays, paid winter break, and a 401(k) plan with immediate vesting. Life at Electra includes a variety of perks, such as free catered lunches, amazing coffee, snacks, drinks, fruit, free parking, and opportunities for much more.

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in a warehouse/aviation and office environment, which requires proper safety precautions. Work may require some physical effort in handling light materials, boxes, power tools, prototypes, and different materials or equipment. Due to the nature of our business and projects, some fieldwork may be required, working in both indoor and outdoor conditions. You may need to lift up to 50 lbs.

Background & Drug Screening

Successful completion of a background check and/or drug screening prior to starting work may be required for this position.

Commitment

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those from marginalized or underrepresented groups in the tech industry and aerospace, to apply for our job openings. We firmly believe that a diverse range of perspectives can profoundly influence both our product and our company culture.

Electra is committed to a work environment that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other factors prohibited by law. Electra will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.

Electra is an E-Verify employer.