Senior/Principal Airframe Stress Engineer

Electra•Manassas, VA

13d•$130,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

About Electra At Electra, we're building hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft that redefine regional air travel. Our technology enables aircraft to take off and land in soccer field-sized spaces, unlocking thousands of new operating locations and enabling what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, efficient, point-to-point travel closer to where people live and work. A global company headquartered in Manassas, VA, with additional operations in Switzerland, Electra is backed by industry leaders and is advancing toward certification. We're a growing team of innovators working at the forefront of sustainable aviation-every hire plays a critical role in shaping the future of flight. The Role As a Senior or Principal Airframe Stress Engineer, you will lead structural analysis efforts supporting the development, certification, and production of Electra's flagship hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft. This role is responsible for ensuring the structural integrity of metallic and composite airframe components through detailed analysis, testing, and certification substantiation. You will work closely with design engineering, loads, materials & processes, manufacturing, structural test, suppliers, and certification teams to develop robust airframe structures that meet performance, safety, and FAA certification requirements. The ideal candidate combines deep structural analysis expertise with strong engineering judgment and the ability to influence aircraft design decisions throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline
Experience in airframe structural analysis supporting aircraft development programs
Strong knowledge of metallic and composite aircraft structures
Experience supporting FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25 aircraft certification programs
Advanced proficiency with FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent finite element analysis tools
Experience with NX or similar CAD platforms
Strong understanding of: Aircraft loads, Free body diagrams, Structural load paths, Mechanics of materials, Structural stability and failure modes
Advanced proficiency performing both hand calculations and finite element analyses
Experience developing structural substantiation reports and certification documentation
Strong technical writing and communication skills
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
8+ Years (for Senior level)
10+ Years (for Principal level)

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline
Experience supporting aircraft programs from conceptual design through certification and production
Experience with composite airframe design and certification
Experience supporting structural testing and correlation of analytical models
Familiarity with hybrid-electric, eSTOL, eVTOL, or advanced air mobility aircraft programs
Experience working directly with regulatory authorities during certification efforts
Experience mentoring engineers and reviewing structural analyses
U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Responsibilities

Support development of major airframe structures from preliminary design through certification, production launch, and manufacturing ramp-up
Perform static strength, fatigue, and durability analyses for metallic and composite aircraft structures
Develop structural substantiation methods and analysis plans supporting FAA Part 23 type certification
Create and validate finite element models using FEMAP/Nastran or equivalent analysis tools
Perform detailed hand calculations using industry-standard methodologies and references including: Bruhn, Niu, Roark, ESDU, Classical mechanics of materials approaches
Collaborate with loads, design, materials & processes, manufacturing, structural test, and certification teams throughout the entire development process
Support trade studies and structural design optimization activities
Define structural analysis requirements and certification substantiation plans
Review and approve design dispositions and engineering analyses
Support component, subassembly, and full-scale structural testing activities, including: Test planning, Requirements definition, Instrumentation support, Data review, Test reporting
Prepare structural substantiation reports and certification documentation
Present structural analyses and recommendations during internal and external design reviews
Support supplier technical reviews and provide guidance on structural analysis methodologies
Contribute to the establishment of structural analysis processes, best practices, and design standards
Demonstrates strong expertise in aircraft structural analysis and airframe certification
Independently performs static, fatigue, and damage tolerance analyses
Develops structural substantiation packages for FAA certification activities
Creates and validates finite element models and analytical methodologies
Collaborates effectively across design, loads, certification, and test organizations
Supports structural testing, correlation activities, and certification efforts
Provides technical guidance within assigned programs and workstreams
Drives resolution of complex structural engineering challenges with minimal supervision
Recognized subject matter expert in aircraft structural analysis and certification
Leads major structural development efforts across large airframe assemblies and programs
Establishes structural analysis methodologies, standards, and best practices
Serves as a key technical authority for certification substantiation strategies
Drives structural architecture decisions balancing weight, manufacturability, performance, and certification requirements
Leads critical technical reviews and influences program-level engineering decisions
Mentors engineers across the organization and elevates overall technical capability
Acts as a primary interface with certification authorities, suppliers, and external partners on structural matters
Provides strategic technical leadership throughout aircraft development, certification, and production readiness efforts