Senior / Principal Multidisciplinary Test & Simulation Engineer

Electra Aero; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO, sick leave, and company 

Paid winter break

401(k) with immediate vesting

Free catered lunches, coffee, snacks,

Job summary

Electra Aero in Manassas, VA, seeks a Senior / Principal Multi-disciplinary Test & Simulation Engineer to build and sustain ground test labs for the EL9 and to develop SIL/HIL capabilities for flight controls, avionics and hybrid propulsion.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to validate systems before flight, create real-time simulation models in MATLAB/Simulink, and integrate hardware with software in support of FAA Part 23 certification.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in simulation development, systems integration, or related engineering roles.
• Hands-on experience with model-based development tools and real-time simulation.
• Familiarity with RTOS and hardware interfaces is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain SIL/HIL labs and end-to-end simulation environments.
• Collaborate with internal teams to define test requirements and resolve integration issues.
• Support FAA Part 23 certification activities through thorough documentation.

Skills

Simulation development

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

RTOS

Hardware interface development

Job description

About Electra

Air travel is about to become something more: more direct, more accessible, and more connected to the places where people live, work and want to be. Every day in the U.S., people make 35 million trips of 50–500 miles, stuck in traffic or routed through crowded hubs. Chances are, you've been one of them. At Electra, we're changing that with the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in just 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology opens up thousands of new places to fly, beyond conventional runways, congested airports and long drives. We're backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and Safran. Operators worldwide have signed intent-to-purchase agreements for the first 2,200 aircraft we produce, and we're moving toward first test flights in 2027.

About Electra

Air travel is about to become something more: more direct, more accessible, and more connected to the places where people live, work and want to be. Every day in the U.S., people make 35 million trips of 50–500 miles, stuck in traffic or routed through crowded hubs. Chances are, you've been one of them. At Electra, we're changing that with the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in just 150 feet. Our Ultra Short technology opens up thousands of new places to fly, beyond conventional runways, congested airports and long drives. We're backed by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell and Safran. Operators worldwide have signed intent-to-purchase agreements for the first 2,200 aircraft we produce, and we're moving toward first test flights in 2027.

Getting a new kind of aircraft airborne takes more than ambition. It takes our kind of bold: people who think big while working in the real world. Who move ideas into action and collaborate without silos. Who put people first and make room at the table for everyone. Who challenge one another without diminishing one another.

Sound like you? Then look beyond what you thought were your own limits, and help us take flight beyond runways.

Senior / Principal Multi-disciplinary Test & Simulation Engineer

The Role

As a Test & Simulation Engineer at Electra, you’ll build and maintain the ground test and evaluation labs we rely on to validate the EL9’s systems before they fly. You will work with internal customers and stakeholders develop SIL / HIL labs for flight controls, avionics, and hybrid propulsion where your work has direct product impact.

What You’ll Do

• Build and support SIL / HIL labs to replicate end-to-end simulation of aircraft operations.


• Build and integrate real‑time simulation models using RTOS platforms and model-based development tools (e.g., Simulink, MATLAB).


• Develop custom interfaces between disparate simulation models and hardware components.


• Maintain configuration control and documentation for all simulation environments in support of FAA Part 23 certification activities.


• Collaborate with the functional IPTs to define test requirements and resolve integration issues.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline or combination of education and equivalent experience (aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or software preferred).


• 8+ years of experience in simulation development, systems integration, or related engineering roles.


• Experience with hardware integration testing in SIL/HIL lab environments.


• Hands‑on experience with model-based development tools such as MATLAB / Simulink or equivalent a plus.


• Familiarity with real‑time operating systems (RTOS) and hardware interface development a plus.


• CAA (FAA/EASA) certification program experience a plus.

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: $152,000 USD - $220,000 USD

What We Offer

• 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.