Certification Engineer

Electra Aero•Manassas, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Electra, we are developing the EL9, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft capable of ultra-short takeoffs and landings (150 feet). This technology aims to enable Direct Aviation, offering quiet, point-to-point regional travel without major airport congestion. Headquartered in Manassas, VA, Electra is supported by Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and Safran, has applied for FAA Part 23 type certification, and holds over 2,000 intent-to-purchase orders. The company, with approximately 100 employees, is working towards EL9 test flights in 2027 and certification by late 2029 or 2030. The Certification Engineer will be responsible for coordinating between engineering functions and the FAA to achieve Part 23 type certification for the EL9. This involves developing means of compliance, managing certification data, leading FAA reviews, and ensuring appropriate compliance approaches across various aircraft systems. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role that directly influences the aircraft's certification timeline.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field
3+ years of experience on FAA Type Certification projects
Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate regulatory implications for design, testing, and analysis
Experience assigning regulatory requirements to design and compliance documentation
Working knowledge of Part 23 Performance Based Rules and associated processes
Experience developing and proposing detailed design standards and compliance approaches to the FAA
Hands-on experience with requirements management tools (e.g., Jama, Polarion, DOORS)
Familiarity with relevant aerospace standards such as ASTM F44, DO-178C, DO-254, DO-160G, ARP4754B, and ARP4761A
Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with regulators and senior technical leads

Nice To Haves

Experience on novel or clean-sheet aircraft programs - particularly hybrid-electric or unconventional propulsion architectures
Prior work with the FAA's Emerging Technology division or similar early-stage regulatory engagement
Familiarity with avionics or propulsion certification pathways under Part 23

Responsibilities

Coordinate the development of means and methods of compliance across engineering and product teams
Author functional certification plans, certification test plans, and test reports
Lead and participate in reviews with the FAA
Collaborate with Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) to develop and validate compliance approaches
Manage and track certification data in requirements management tools, working closely with Systems Engineering, Program Management, and Product teams
Interpret and apply FAA regulations - including Part 23 and associated standards and guidance material - to real design and testing decisions