Staff/ Senior Avionics Engineer

Electra Aero; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

PTO & Holidays

Winter Break

401(k) Plan

Free meals

Free parking

Job summary

Electra Aero in Manassas, VA seeks a Mid-Level Avionics Engineer to advance avionics for the EL9 aircraft. You will contribute to architecture, performance, safety, and certification readiness, working with propulsion, LV electrical, flight controls, and structures to ensure seamless integration.

You will design, integrate, test, and troubleshoot avionics systems, translate system requirements into interfaces, and support lab and flight tests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years in avionics or aerospace electrical systems.
• Experience designing and integrating avionics systems.
• Proficiency with DOORS or similar requirements tools.
• Ability to read electrical/wiring diagrams and system drawings.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and integrate avionics systems across the aircraft.
• Translate system requirements into avionics interfaces and definitions.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics and ICDs.
• Support lab testing (SIL/HIL), ground tests, and flight tests.
• Collaborate with IPTs for seamless system integration.
• Assist in design reviews and certification activities.
• Troubleshoot issues across development and integration phases.

Skills

Avionics system design

Requirements development

Electrical schematics

Interface definitions

DOORS knowledge

System architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

DOORS

MATLAB/Simulink

JAMA (bonus)

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 have been one of them. At Electra, we are 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 are 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 are 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 have been one of them. At Electra, we are 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 are 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 are 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.

The Role

As a Mid‑Level Avionics Engineer, you will support the development, integration, and optimization of avionics for Electra's flagship nine‑passenger EL9 aircraft. This role contributes to system architecture, performance, safety, and certification readiness, including areas such as power distribution, data interfaces, and system integration. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams‑including propulsion, Low Voltage Electrical, flight controls, and structures‑to ensure seamless integration of avionics systems across the aircraft. The role requires a hands‑on engineering approach, contributing to design, integration, testing, and troubleshooting activities throughout the development lifecycle while helping maintain strong engineering rigor, reliability, and compliance.

What You’ll Do

• Support the design, development, and integration of avionics systems, including communication, navigation, flight control, and cockpit systems
• Translate system‑level requirements into detailed avionics requirements, architectures, and interface definitions
• Develop and maintain engineering artifacts such as:
• Electrical schematics
• Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Requirements and verification documentation
• Perform integration and validation activities, including lab testing (SIL/HIL), ground testing, and flight test support
• Collaborate with cross‑functional IPTs (systems, structures, propulsion, software) to ensure seamless system integration
• Support supplier evaluation and technical oversight for avionics equipment
• Participate in design reviews (PDR/CDR) and support certification activities
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues across development and integration phases
• Demonstrate a hands‑on mindset, supporting system integration, working directly with hardware, and troubleshooting issues in lab and aircraft environments

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• 5–10 years of experience in avionics or aerospace electrical systems
• Experience with:
• Avionics system design and integration
• Requirements development and management (e.g., DOORS or similar tools)
• Electrical schematics and interface definition
• Familiarity with avionics communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, ARINC, CAN)
• Ability to interpret:
• Electrical and wiring diagrams
• System architecture drawings
• Engineering specifications
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional IPT environment
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills

Bonus Points

• Experience supporting avionics or electrical system development for FAA Part 23 aircraft programs
• Familiarity with aircraft certification processes and related documentation
• Exposure to hybrid‑electric propulsion systems or advanced aircraft electrical architectures
• Experience working with or coordinating with external suppliers on avionics components
• Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., JAMA) or system modeling tools (MATLAB/Simulink)
• Private pilot license a plus

Leveling Expectations

Level (Staff or Senior) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, demonstrated skills, and degree of independence and autonomy. Both levels require a strong foundation in engineering principles and the ability to solve complex technical problems. Differentiation between levels is based on degree of ownership, autonomy, and influence.

Staff Engineer (5+ years)

• Experienced with frequent application of technical standards, principles, and theories
• Works under general supervision to solve technical problems of moderate scope and complexity
• Executes defined scope of work with growing independence
• Contributes to system integration, supplier coordination, and technical problem‑solving

Senior Engineer (8+ years)

• Demonstrates a complete understanding and wide application of engineering principles, theories, and concepts
• Works under limited direction to solve a wide range of complex technical problems
• Independently determines and develops approaches to solutions
• Owns technical scope such as supplier oversight, integration activities, and compliance efforts
• Drives issue resolution and collaborates effectively with minimal guidance

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: $110,000 USD - $160,000 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.