Staff / Senior Flight Physics Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with immediate vesting

Paid time off and holidays

Free catered lunches

Job summary

Electra seeks a Staff or Senior Flight Physics Engineer to support design, development, and certification of its hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft. You will analyze performance across flight phases, incorporate test data, and support FAA Part 23/25 activities while collaborating with aerodynamics, systems, and certification teams.

The role emphasizes analytical rigor, systems thinking, and leadership in a fast-paced startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience in aircraft performance analysis, flight sciences, or aerodynamics.
• Experience with FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25 certification requirements.
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for engineering analysis and modeling.
• Experience using version control tools such as Git.
• Strong understanding of flight vehicle dynamics and aircraft performance, especially takeoff/landing.
• Experience with vortex lattice method (VLM) and tools like AVL, xRotor, or similar.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems engineering skills.
• Ability to communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Experience developing and maintaining clear engineering documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced development environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze aircraft performance across all flight phases: takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing.
• Incorporate data from flight tests, wind tunnels, and CFD into performance models.
• Assess performance against FAA Part 23/25 and support certification activities.
• Run sensitivity studies and trade analyses on design parameters.
• Develop and maintain performance analysis tools using Python or MATLAB.
• Present analysis results in design reviews with technical recommendations.
• Provide inputs to multidisciplinary trade studies and program decisions.
• Define and evaluate aircraft-level requirements and interfaces.
• Collaborate to gather and interpret data for informed design decisions.
• Support validation of predictions through data analysis and tests.
• Document methods, assumptions, and results with rigor.

Skills

Aircraft performance

Flight sciences

Flight dynamics

Systems engineering

Data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Git

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Git

AVL

xRotor

VLM

Job description

The Role

As a Staff or Senior Flight Physics Engineer, you will support the design, development, analysis, and certification of Electra's hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft. This role focuses on aircraft performance, flight physics, and multidisciplinary design analysis, helping ensure our aircraft meets demanding operational and certification requirements.

You will work closely with aerodynamics, flight sciences, systems, certification, flight test, and aircraft design teams to analyze aircraft performance across all phases of flight, evaluate certification compliance, and support critical design decisions. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with systems thinking and thrives in a fast-paced startup environment where collaboration, adaptability, and technical ownership are essential.

What You'll Do

• Analyze and evaluate aircraft performance across all phases of flight, including takeoff, landing, climb, cruise, and failure scenarios
• Incorporate aerodynamic data from flight testing, wind tunnel testing, and CFD simulations into aircraft performance models and evaluations
• Assess aircraft performance against FAA Part 23 certification requirements and support certification activities with regulatory authorities
• Conduct sensitivity studies and trade analyses to understand the impact of aircraft design parameters on performance metrics
• Develop and maintain performance analysis tools, models, and methodologies using Python or MATLAB
• Support aircraft design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, and certification reviews) by presenting analysis results and technical recommendations
• Provide performance, risk, and mass-property inputs to multidisciplinary trade studies and program decisions
• Define and evaluate aircraft-level requirements, architectures, and interfaces across systems and disciplines
• Collaborate with engineering teams to gather, analyze, and interpret data that drives informed design decisions
• Support validation of performance predictions through test planning, data analysis, and correlation activities
• Document engineering methods, analyses, assumptions, and results with a high degree of technical rigor

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Experience in aircraft performance analysis, flight sciences, aerodynamics, or related aerospace engineering disciplines
• Experience with aircraft certification requirements, particularly FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for engineering analysis and modeling
• Experience using version control tools such as Git
• Strong understanding of flight vehicle dynamics and aircraft performance, particularly takeoff and landing performance
• Experience with vortex lattice method (VLM) and aircraft analysis tools such as AVL, xRotor, or similar
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems engineering skills
• Ability to effectively communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary audiences
• Experience developing and maintaining clear engineering documentation
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly integrated development environment

Bonus Points

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
• Experience supporting aircraft development programs from conceptual design through certification
• Familiarity with aircraft systems and multidisciplinary aircraft design processes
• Experience analyzing novel aircraft configurations, eVTOL, eSTOL, hybrid-electric, or advanced air mobility aircraft
• Experience supporting FAA certification efforts and regulatory interactions
• Flight test analysis or flight sciences experience
• U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Level (Staff or Senior) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, demonstrated technical capabilities, and degree of independence and ownership.

Both levels require strong analytical capabilities, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to solve complex aircraft performance challenges. Differentiation between levels is based on technical leadership, scope of responsibility, influence, and autonomy.

• Applies advanced engineering principles to aircraft performance and flight physics analyses
• Works under general direction on complex technical challenges
• Executes aircraft performance, certification, and trade study analyses with a high degree of independence
• Contributes technical expertise to multidisciplinary design decisions
• Supports certification activities, design reviews, and validation efforts
• Identifies technical risks and develops data-driven recommendations
• Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned technical workstreams
• Demonstrates broad expertise across aircraft performance, flight sciences, certification, and systems-level analysis
• Works under limited direction to solve highly complex and ambiguous technical challenges
• Independently develops analysis methodologies, tools, and approaches
• Leads major performance evaluations, certification analyses, and multidisciplinary trade studies
• Serves as a key technical authority for aircraft performance and flight physics disciplines
• Influences aircraft design decisions through technical leadership and data-driven insights
• Mentors engineers and drives cross-functional collaboration across multiple development efforts
• Owns critical technical scope and supports program-level decision making

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 - $160,000 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.