Principal Quality Inspector

Electra•Manassas, VA

6d•$125,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Quality Inspector at Electra, you'll serve as a dual-site quality presence across our Manassas, VA headquarters and our future manufacturing site in Springfield, OH. You'll be embedded across Quality, Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Flight Test, and Tooling — owning day-to-day quality oversight while simultaneously helping build the QMS infrastructure we'll carry into FAA type and production certification. This is a hands-on role with significant ownership. You'll sit at the intersection of regulatory compliance and production execution — running floor inspections, leading Quality discussions, supporting flight test inspections and conformity, and developing the training programs needed, including supporting lean production and quality systems that will scale with our rate ramp. You'll report into Electra's Quality leadership and be expected to operate with professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment across every site and stakeholder.

Requirements

10+ years of demonstrated aviation manufacturing or maintenance experience
Working knowledge of FAA regulations, documentation and procedures
Hands-on experience with in-process, FAI, receiving inspection, and non-conformance management
Experience supporting FAA flight test operations, including Conformity Inspections and Safe to Fly determinations
Demonstrated ability to build and deliver technical training programs for Quality, Manufacturing, and Production personnel
Strong cross-functional communication skills — comfortable working across engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory stakeholders in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
Willingness and ability to travel and support operations at multiple sites (Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH)
US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Nice To Haves

Direct experience supporting a Part 23 program
Familiarity with aviation production quality and flight testing
A&P Mechanic certificate or equivalent practical aviation maintenance background; Inspection Authorization (IA) a plus
Exposure to eVTOL, hybrid-electric, or novel propulsion aircraft programs

Responsibilities

Represent Electra's Quality department with professionalism and positive intent at all locations and in all interactions — from the shop floor to executive stakeholder meetings
Support FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification efforts at Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH, providing quality oversight and documentation in alignment with program milestones
Partner with Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Tooling, Flight Test, and Facilities teams through hands-on on-site support, evaluations, inspections, and periodic status reporting using Electra's established tools and methods
Lead development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a compliant FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System, including Production/Manufacturing floor oversight, in-process inspections, FAI and Receiving Inspection
Serve as the Quality focal for future Material Review Board (MRB) activities — driving disposition of non-conforming parts and articles, supporting root cause investigation, and maintaining a Safety/Quality-first presence at all times
Support the future development and implementation of an AS9100D / AS9102-compliant Quality System, should program objectives require it
Drive Lean quality practices across Production and Manufacturing, including shop floor control, tool and equipment calibration, employee certification and competency programs
Support Electra company and FAA Flight Test operations at both Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH — including Pre/Post Flight quality inspection activities, Safe to Fly determinations, and FAA Conformity Inspections
Develop, deliver, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Training Program that builds capability across the quality and production organization
Own predictive quality and rate acceleration objectives — implementing techniques and systems that enable Manufacturing to achieve production rate milestones reliably and on schedule
Provide additional quality support as program needs evolve