Senior Instrumentation Engineer
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
As our Senior Instrumentation Engineer, you'll design, build, and maintain the instrumentation and data acquisition systems that power Electra's ground and flight test programs. This is a hands-on technical role with high visibility - the quality of your work directly determines the quality of the data engineering relies on to advance the EL9 toward FAA Part 23 certification. You'll work closely with the Systems Test Manager and flight test team to stand up a capability built for a certification program, not adapted from one.
What You'll Do
- Design, install, and maintain sensor systems, signal conditioning hardware, and data acquisition systems for ground and flight test applications.
- Develop and manage data acquisition architectures that capture test data across avionics, propulsion, structural, and flight control systems.
- Collaborate with test and engineering teams to define instrumentation requirements and ensure data quality meets certification standards.
- Develop calibration procedures and maintain traceability of all instrumentation systems.
- Support SIL/HIL lab development with instrumentation integration and signal interface design.
- Troubleshoot instrumentation anomalies in real time during ground and flight test operations.
- Document instrumentation designs, configurations, and test procedures to support FAA certification activities.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or related engineering degree or equivalent experience (aerospace, electrical, or mechanical preferred).
- 8+ years of experience in instrumentation and data acquisition for aerospace ground or flight test programs.
- Hands-on experience with sensor selection, signal conditioning, and DAS hardware (e.g., Curtiss-Wright, Amphenol, HBK, or similar).
- Proficiency with instrumentation software and data processing tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or equivalent).
- Experience developing instrumentation plans and test procedures in support of CAA (FAA/EASA) certification programs preferred.
- Strong understanding of avionics, propulsion, or structural test environments.
- S. Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required.
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.
Skills
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Basics
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