Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer – Vibrations & Acoustics

Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer - Vibrations & Acoustics 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+ intent to purchase 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.

Electra is seeking a Senior Loads & Dynamics Engineer specializing in vibrations and acoustics to lead the development, analysis, and validation of structural loads and dynamic environments for our nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft. You will own critical loads, vibration, and acoustic analyses across all phases of aircraft development, from concept through certification.

• Lead the development of static, dynamic, vibration, and acoustic loads for airframe structures, propulsion systems, and installed equipment.
• Own loads and dynamics tasks from conceptual definition through detailed analysis and certification.
• Manage contractors developing loads, flutter, and acoustic data to support overall program objectives.
• Define vibration and acoustic environments (random, sine, shock, and acoustic spectra) for structural sizing, stress analysis, and equipment qualification.
• Perform and support coupled loads analyses (CLA), modal analyses, and frequency response assessments.
• Collaborate closely with airframe design, stress, propulsion, systems, and test teams to ensure accurate translation of loads into structural and system requirements.
• Support ground and flight test activities, including vibration and acoustic testing, data reduction, and test-to-analysis correlation.
• Contribute to the development of structural dynamic models (finite element-based) in support of loads, vibration, and acoustic analysis.
• Prepare and present at internal technical reviews.
• Interface with suppliers to define vibration and acoustic requirements for externally sourced components and systems.
• Continuously improve Electra’s loads, dynamics, and vibroacoustic analysis methods, tools, and processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in aircraft loads, structural dynamics, vibrations, or acoustics engineering.
• Strong understanding of aircraft loads development, structural dynamics, vibration, and acoustic fundamentals.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying static and dynamic load cases for structural sizing and certification.
• Proficiency with finite element-based analysis tools (e.g., NASTRAN, FEMAP, Hyper Mesh, Patran, or similar).
• Experience defining and interpreting random vibration, sine vibration, shock, and acoustic environments.
• Familiarity with FAA Part 23 or Part 25 structural and dynamic certification requirements.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical results through formal reports, presentations, and cross-functional discussions.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple analysis efforts in a fast-paced development environment.

• Experience supporting flight test or ground test for vibration and acoustic qualification.
• Background in hybrid-electric, eSTOL/eVTOL, or advanced aircraft development programs.
• Experience with test analysis correlation and model validation.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD or RTCA vibration and acoustic standards.
• Experience working directly with suppliers on dynamic environment definition and issue resolution.
• Private pilot license or a strong passion for aviation is a plus.

$ – $ annually. This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all…