Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer

About Electra

At Electra, we’re 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+ letters of intent from operators worldwide. We’re 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.

As a Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer at Electra, you’ll be a key contributor to the design, development, and integration of mechanical systems on the EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. Working within a cross‑functional team, you’ll take ownership of system requirements, drive design decisions through PDR and CDR, manage supplier relationships, and ensure your systems meet safety, performance, and regulatory standards. This is a hands‑on role with real program impact at a critical stage of development.

• Lead the design and development of mechanical systems - including hydraulics, landing gear, ECS, fuel systems, and other vehicle‑level systems - ensuring work is delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Develop system requirements, design specifications, and supporting documentation in compliance with regulatory and program standards.
• Perform performance analysis and simulations to verify that mechanical systems meet aircraft‑level requirements.
• Define supplier statements of work, review supplier designs, and manage vendor performance through PDR, CDR, and into hardware delivery - tracking deliverables and holding suppliers accountable to airworthiness and schedule requirements.
• Ensure integration of mechanical systems with adjacent subsystems - avionics, electrical, propulsion - and troubleshoot cross‑discipline integration issues.
• Prepare, review, and approve engineering deliverables including analyses, drawings, models, design reviews, and reports.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and contribute to a culture of engineering rigor and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, program leadership, and certification leads to support successful program execution.
• Support FAA Part 23 certification activities as systems progress toward type certification.

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline with at least 8 years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Hands‑on experience with aircraft mechanical systems design and integration - hydraulics, flight controls, ECS, fuel systems, landing gear, or similar.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams or supplier relationships through design phases (PDR/CDR) on aerospace programs.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., SAE ARP
  4754) and aviation regulations; exposure to FAA certification processes a plus.
• Proficiency with CAD tools; NX and Teamcenter experience preferred.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment with limited oversight.
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required.

• Experience with FAA Part 23 or Part 25 certification programs.
• Background in hydraulic power systems, fluid power design, or mechanisms.
• Experience working in a startup or high‑growth aerospace environment.
• Private pilot certificate.

• 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

In addition to an exciting work environment and the opportunity to be…