Airframe Design Engineer

Electra.aero; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Electra.aero in Manassas, VA is seeking an Airframe Design Engineer to help design, integrate, and develop primary and secondary structures for the EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft. You will collaborate across disciplines to ensure performance, safety, and certification goals are met while mentoring junior engineers.

The role emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, hands-on CAD work, and close interaction with suppliers to drive manufacturability and robust design decisions.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering; MS preferred.
• 2+ years in aircraft structural or airframe design.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop primary and secondary airframe structures for the EL9 aircraft.
• Assist with concept through detailed design and certification, ensuring safety and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, systems, and stress teams to optimize structural solutions.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, drawings, and design documentation.
• Contribute to design reviews and mentor early-career engineers.
• Work with suppliers on manufacturability and production issues.

Skills

Airframe design

3D CAD tools

Loads & fatigue

FAA certification

Engineering drawings

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Siemens NX

CATIA V5/V6

Job description

About Electra

At Electra, we're pioneering sustainable aviation through the development of hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft designed to transform regional mobility. Our aircraft operate from soccer-field-sized spaces-enabling Direct Aviation, a new mode of point-to-point air travel that brings communities closer together. Headquartered in Northern Virginia with a location in Switzerland, Electra is building a diverse global team passionate about redefining the future of flight.

Position Overview

Electra is seeking a Airframe Design Engineer to help the design, integration, and development of primary and secondary structures for our nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft. In this role, you will support major structural design deliverables, collaborate deeply with multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure the aircraft's structures meet performance, safety, manufacturability, and certification goals. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer ready to contribute at a high level while influencing design decisions across multiple aircraft systems.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Support the design and development of primary and secondary airframe structures, including fuselage, wing, empennage, and landing gear integration.
• Assist with structural design tasks from concept through detailed design and into certification, ensuring compliance with performance, manufacturability, maintainability, and safety requirements.
• Work with structural requirements, material selections, and design criteria in support of applicable airworthiness regulations.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, systems, manufacturing, stress, and certification teams to ensure integrated and optimized structural solutions.
• Produce high-quality design documentation, including 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, ICDs, and supporting design reports.
• Execute trade studies evaluating materials, configurations, manufacturing approaches, and integration options to balance weight, cost, and performance.
• Support structural analysis activities by working closely with stress engineers on static, dynamic, and fatigue considerations.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical mentorship to early-career engineers.
• Work with suppliers on manufacturability, design-for-production, and technical issue resolution.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in Electra's structural design methods, tools, and development processes.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, advanced materials, and evolving FAA certification requirements for new aircraft types.
• Support CAD admin duties such as tool and process development for designers.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in aircraft structural or airframe design, integration, and development (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Strong understanding of airframe structural design for both metallic and composite components.
• Demonstrated experience across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (preferably Siemens NX or CATIA V5/V6).
• Familiarity with FAA Part 23 or Part 25 structural certification requirements.
• Working knowledge of loads, stress, and fatigue principles and their influence on design decisions.
• Experience creating aerospace engineering drawings, design documentation, and configuration-controlled deliverables.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective cross-functional teamwork.
• Ability to manage design tasks, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced development environment.

Desired Skills And Qualifications

• Experience with hybrid-electric, eSTOL/eVTOL, or other advanced aircraft development programs.
• Familiarity with composite manufacturing processes such as AFP, infusion, or hand layup.
• Experience with FEM tools (NASTRAN, FEMAP, HyperMesh).
• Background in weight optimization, design-for-manufacturability, or design-to-cost.
• Knowledge of requirements management or PLM tools (JAMA, Teamcenter, etc.).
• Experience coordinating with suppliers on design, fabrication, or integration activities.
• Private pilot license or a strong passion for aviation is a plus.

Location & Additional Information

• Location: Manassas, VA headquarters (on-site presence strongly preferred).
• Travel: Occasional.
• Salary: Electra's salary range for this position is: $92,000.00- $112,000.00 Our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum range for the Company level overall across all locations & projects and does 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.