Senior Multidisciplinary Optimization Engineer Manassas, VA

About Electra

Electra’s next gen mission is to develop Ultra Short aircraft built for Direct Aviation. We are redefining the next level of connectivity by pioneering Direct Aviation – without airports, emissions, or noise. Electra’s Ultra Short aircraft will revolutionize air travel by bringing it closer to where we live, work, and play, making new connections possible. This makes a new venture like Electra exciting and fast-paced.

Headquartered in Northern Virginia, we're on a quest to build a team of insanely talented people who want to do meaningful work.

Electra.aero, a next-gen aerospace technology company, seeks a dynamic Senior Multidisciplinary Optimization Engineer. This role will support Electra’s advanced programs development work, notably the NASA Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES 2050) project. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) and software development, ideally focused on aircraft design, within a fast-paced, innovative environment.

As an early-stage startup company, this position requires a versatile person who is not afraid to work hard and move fast. As the company will evolve and grow with time, so will this job. This position is for in-person work at Electra’s headquarters in Manassas, VA, but a remote position will be considered for the right candidate.

• Alignment:
  This role will execute advanced aircraft modeling and design as part of the advanced concepts group to help set the course of future technology and products for the company and broader aviation industry, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
• Continuous Improvement:
  This role will design, develop, and conduct analysis with advanced tools while assessing these tools and workflows to roll out to the broader engineering organization.
• Force Multiplier:
  This role will be a critical force multiplier for the advanced projects group as the team grows and takes on high-visibility and ambitious projects.

We are seeking a candidate with the following key experience and skills:

• Develop and Implement MDAO Frameworks:
  Lead the design, integration, and implementation of MDAO frameworks tailored for advanced aircraft design, incorporating multidisciplinary analysis tools and optimization algorithms.
• Perform System-Level Trade Studies:
  Conduct detailed trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, optimize performance, and balance competing objectives such as aerodynamics, structural integrity, propulsion efficiency, and cost.
• Integrate Multidisciplinary Tools and Models:
  Integrate and validate tools from various disciplines (e.g., CFD, FEM, propulsion, thermal analysis) within a unified MDAO environment to ensure seamless workflow automation and robust simulations.
• Drive Optimization and Design Processes:
  Apply advanced optimization techniques to solve complex, high-dimensional design problems, delivering innovative solutions for cutting-edge aircraft configurations.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams:
  Work closely with aerodynamicists, structural engineers, propulsion experts, and systems engineers to define objectives, develop models, and deliver optimized designs.
• Lead Computational Analysis and Validation:
  Oversee the execution of computational simulations, ensuring model accuracy, convergence, and validation against experimental or historical data.
• Support Conceptual Design:
  Provide critical input and guidance during the conceptual design phase to influence major design decisions with quantitative analysis.
• Report Results and Recommendations:
  Prepare and present detailed reports, visualizations, and recommendations to project stakeholders, including leadership teams and external partners.
• Collaborate and Lead University Partners:
  Interact with graduate students and manage their contributions of data, code, and analysis to the project.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, or a closely related field such as mechanical engineering, applied computer science, or a multidisciplinary…