Principal Quality Engineer - Manufacturing & Certification

Electra; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

STD/LTD/Life insurance

PTO

Winter break

401(k) with vesting

On-site meals & snacks

Free parking

Job summary

Electra is seeking a Principal Quality Engineer to oversee quality across its Manassas, VA headquarters and a future Springfield, OH site. You will own day-to-day quality, support FAA certification efforts, and help build the QMS to scale with production.

The role demands hands-on leadership, MRB disposition, AS9100D familiarity, and the ability to drive lean quality practices across manufacturing and production teams. Travel to multiple sites is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of quality engineering experience in an aerospace or aviation manufacturing environment, with demonstrated experience supporting FAA certification programs
• Working knowledge of FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System requirements and the ability to develop and maintain compliant documentation and procedures
• Hands-on experience with in-process and receiving inspection, MRB disposition, and non-conformance management
• Familiarity with AS9100D and/or AS9102 standards and their application in an active production environment
• Experience supporting FAA flight test operations, including Conformity Inspections and Safe to Fly determinations
• Demonstrated ability to build and deliver technical training programs for production personnel
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to quality and production rate improvement
• Strong cross-functional communication skills - comfortable working across engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory stakeholders in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• Willingness and ability to travel and support operations at multiple sites (Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH)
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Responsibilities

• Represent Electra's Quality department with professionalism and positive intent at all locations and in all interactions - from the shop floor to executive stakeholder meetings
• Support FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification efforts at Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH, providing quality oversight and documentation in alignment with program milestones
• Partner with Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Tooling, Flight Test, and Facilities teams through hands-on on-site support, evaluations, inspections, and periodic status reporting using Electra's established tools and methods
• Lead development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a compliant FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System, including Production/Manufacturing floor oversight, in-process inspections, and Receiving Inspection
• Serve as the Quality focal for Material Review Board (MRB) activities - driving disposition of non-conforming parts and articles, supporting root cause investigation, and maintaining a Safety/Quality-first presence at all times
• Support the future development and implementation of an AS9100D / AS9102-compliant Quality System, should program objectives require it
• Drive Lean quality practices across Production and Manufacturing, including shop floor control, tool and equipment calibration, and employee certification and competency programs
• Support FAA Flight Test operations at both Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH - including Pre/Post Flight quality activities, Safe to Fly determinations, and FAA Conformity Inspections
• Develop, deliver, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Training Program that builds capability across the production organization
• Own predictive quality and rate acceleration objectives - implementing techniques and systems that enable Manufacturing to achieve production rate milestones reliably and on schedule
• Provide additional quality support as program needs evolve

Job description

About Electra

At Electra, we are 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 are 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 a Principal Quality Engineer at Electra, you will serve as a dual-site quality presence across our Manassas, VA headquarters and our future manufacturing site in Springfield, OH. You will be embedded across Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Flight Test, and Tooling - owning day-to-day quality oversight while simultaneously helping build the QMS infrastructure we will carry into FAA type and production certification.

This is a hands-on role with significant ownership. You will sit at the intersection of regulatory compliance and production execution - running floor inspections, leading MRB disposition, supporting flight test conformity, and developing the training and lean quality systems that will scale with our rate ramp. You will report into Electra's Quality leadership and be expected to operate with professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment across every site and stakeholder.

What You’ll Do

• Represent Electra's Quality department with professionalism and positive intent at all locations and in all interactions - from the shop floor to executive stakeholder meetings
• Support FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification efforts at Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH, providing quality oversight and documentation in alignment with program milestones
• Partner with Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Tooling, Flight Test, and Facilities teams through hands-on on-site support, evaluations, inspections, and periodic status reporting using Electra's established tools and methods
• Lead development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a compliant FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System, including Production/Manufacturing floor oversight, in-process inspections, and Receiving Inspection
• Serve as the Quality focal for Material Review Board (MRB) activities - driving disposition of non-conforming parts and articles, supporting root cause investigation, and maintaining a Safety/Quality-first presence at all times
• Support the future development and implementation of an AS9100D / AS9102-compliant Quality System, should program objectives require it
• Drive Lean quality practices across Production and Manufacturing, including shop floor control, tool and equipment calibration, and employee certification and competency programs
• Support FAA Flight Test operations at both Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH - including Pre/Post Flight quality activities, Safe to Fly determinations, and FAA Conformity Inspections
• Develop, deliver, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Training Program that builds capability across the production organization
• Own predictive quality and rate acceleration objectives - implementing techniques and systems that enable Manufacturing to achieve production rate milestones reliably and on schedule
• Provide additional quality support as program needs evolve

What You Bring

• 10+ years of quality engineering experience in an aerospace or aviation manufacturing environment, with demonstrated experience supporting FAA certification programs
• Working knowledge of FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System requirements and the ability to develop and maintain compliant documentation and procedures
• Hands-on experience with in-process and receiving inspection, MRB disposition, and non-conformance management
• Familiarity with AS9100D and/or AS9102 standards and their application in an active production environment
• Experience supporting FAA flight test operations, including Conformity Inspections and Safe to Fly determinations
• Demonstrated ability to build and deliver technical training programs for production personnel
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to quality and production rate improvement
• Strong cross-functional communication skills - comfortable working across engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory stakeholders in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• Willingness and ability to travel and support operations at multiple sites (Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH)
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Bonus Points

• Direct experience supporting a Part 23 production approval or production certification milestone
• Prior experience standing up a QMS from early-stage to audit-ready at a startup or growth-stage aerospace company
• Familiarity with FAA DER/DAR/DMIR processes and their intersection with production quality
• A&P Mechanic certificate or equivalent practical aviation maintenance background
• Exposure to eVTOL, hybrid-electric, or novel propulsion aircraft programs

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

$150,000-$190,000 USD

What We Offer

• 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

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.