Airframe Design Engineer

Employer 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've been one of them. At Electra, we're 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're 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're 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

Electra is seeking a Airframe Design Engineer to help the design, integration, and development of primary and secondary structures for our nine-passenger EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft.

In this role, you will support major structural design deliverables, collaborate deeply with multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure the aircraft's structures meet performance, safety, manufacturability, and certification goals. This position is ideal for an experienced engineer ready to contribute at a high level while influencing design decisions across multiple aircraft systems.

This role is based at our Manassas, VA headquarters, with on-site presence strongly preferred, and includes occasional travel (under 10%).

What You'll Do

• Support the design and development of primary and secondary airframe structures, including fuselage, wing, empennage, and landing gear integration.
• Assist with structural design tasks from concept through detailed design and into certification, ensuring compliance with performance, manufacturability, maintainability, and safety requirements.
• Work with structural requirements, material selections, and design criteria in support of applicable airworthiness regulations.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, propulsion, systems, manufacturing, stress, and certification teams to ensure integrated and optimized structural solutions.
• Produce high-quality design documentation, including 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, ICDs, and supporting design reports
• Execute trade studies evaluating materials, configurations, manufacturing approaches, and integration options to balance weight, cost, and performance
• Support structural analysis activities by working closely with stress engineers on static, dynamic, and fatigue considerations
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical mentorship to early-career engineers
• Work with suppliers on manufacturability, design-for-production, and technical issue resolution
• Contribute to continuous improvement in Electra's structural design methods, tools, and development processes
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, advanced materials, and evolving FAA certification requirements for new aircraft types
• Support CAD admin duties such as tool and process development for designers

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; Master's degree preferred
• 2+ years of experience in aircraft structural or airframe design, integration, and development (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Strong understanding of airframe structural design for both metallic and composite components
• Demonstrated experience across conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design phases
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (preferably Siemens NX or CATIA V5/V6)
• Familiarity with FAA Part 23 or Part 25 structural certification requirements
• Working knowledge of loads, stress, and fatigue principles and their influence on design decisions
• Experience creating aerospace engineering drawings, design documentation, and configuration-controlled deliverables
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for effective cross-functional teamwork
• Ability to manage design tasks, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced development environment

Bonus Points

• Experience with hybrid-electric, eSTOL/eVTOL, or other advanced aircraft development programs
• Familiarity with composite manufacturing processes such as AFP, infusion, or hand layup
• Experience with FEM tools (NASTRAN, FEMAP, HyperMesh)
• Background in weight optimization, design-for-manufacturability, or design-to-cost
• Knowledge of requirements management or PLM tools (JAMA, Teamcenter, etc.)
• Experience coordinating with suppliers on design, fabrication, or integration activities
• Private pilot license or a strong passion for aviation

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.

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.