Flight Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior / Principal Flight Physics Engineer
About Electra
At Electra, we're pioneering hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft that redefine regional air mobility. Our technology enables operations from soccer-field-sized spaces, unlocking thousands of new locations and enabling what we call Direct Aviation: quiet, efficient, point-to-point travel closer to where people live and work.
Headquartered in Manassas, VA, with additional operations in Switzerland, Electra is backed by industry leaders and 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/Principal Flight Physics Engineer, you will lead the development, analysis, and validation of aerodynamic and flight physics models that support the design, performance, stability, control, and certification of Electra's hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft.
This role is highly multidisciplinary, requiring deep expertise in aerodynamics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), aircraft performance, and flight vehicle dynamics. You will work closely with structures, controls, systems, propulsion, flight test, and certification teams to drive data-informed design decisions and mature the aircraft through development, testing, and certification.
The ideal candidate is a technically strong aerospace engineer who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment, is comfortable taking ownership of complex technical challenges, and enjoys collaborating across disciplines to develop innovative aircraft solutions.
What You'll Do

• Analyze and synthesize aerodynamic data from flight testing, wind tunnel testing, CFD simulations, and analytical models to support aircraft design and performance evaluations
• Lead or support the design and development of prototype systems, test articles, and validation efforts related to aircraft aerodynamics and flight physics
• Perform end-to-end CFD analyses, including:
• Geometry preparation
• Mesh generation
• Solver setup and execution
• Solution convergence assessment
• Post-processing and interpretation of results
• Conduct sensitivity studies related to aircraft performance, stability, control, and aerodynamic characteristics
• Develop, validate, and improve aerodynamic and performance prediction methods across all phases of flight
• Present technical analyses and recommendations at gated program reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, and certification reviews
• Develop program-level objectives, requirements, architectures, and interface definitions to support aircraft development activities
• Support aircraft design trades by providing technical assessments of performance, aerodynamic efficiency, mass impact, risk, and certification considerations
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams including structures, propulsion, controls, systems, and certification engineering
• Develop automated analysis tools, workflows, and post-processing capabilities using Python or similar tools
• Support correlation and validation of aerodynamic models against test data and flight test results
• Create and maintain high-quality engineering documentation, reports, and technical presentations

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Experience in aerodynamics, CFD, flight sciences, aircraft performance, or related aerospace engineering disciplines
• Demonstrated capability generating high-quality aerodynamic meshes in Pointwise for external aerodynamic analyses and complex aircraft configurations
• Hands-on experience running and interpreting results from aerospace-focused CFD solvers such as Flow360, FUN3D, or comparable high-fidelity CFD tools
• Strong Python programming skills for analysis, automation, workflow integration, and CFD post-processing
• Experience using ParaView or similar visualization tools for aerodynamic flow field analysis
• Strong understanding of:
• Aerodynamics
• Flight vehicle dynamics
• Aircraft stability and control
• Aircraft performance
• Experience with lower-order aerodynamic analysis tools such as AVL, xRotor, or other VLM-based methods
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to multidisciplinary audiences
• Experience working within collaborative aircraft development teams
• Strong documentation, organization, and technical communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly integrated startup environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with emphasis in aerodynamics, CFD, flight physics, or flight sciences
• Experience using Flow360 CFD for external aerodynamic simulations and validating results against experimental or flight test data
• Advanced software development capabilities in Python (preferred) or MATLAB
• Experience developing:
• Automated post-processing workflows
• Custom analysis tools
• Engineering software pipelines
• Experience supporting aircraft development programs from conceptual design through certification
• Familiarity with aircraft systems and multidisciplinary aircraft design processes
• Working knowledge of FAR Part 23 certification requirements
• Experience supporting advanced air mobility, eSTOL, eVTOL, or hybrid-electric aircraft programs
• U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Leveling Expectations
Level (Senior or Principal) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, technical depth, demonstrated leadership, and degree of influence across the organization.
Both levels require strong expertise in aerodynamics, flight physics, CFD analysis, and aircraft development. Differentiation between levels is based on technical leadership, strategic influence, ownership of critical programs, and ability to shape engineering direction.
Senior Flight Physics Engineer (8+ Years)

• Demonstrates broad expertise in aerodynamics, CFD, aircraft performance, and flight vehicle dynamics
• Independently executes complex analyses and develops solutions to challenging technical problems
• Leads aerodynamic studies, CFD campaigns, and aircraft performance assessments
• Supports major design reviews, certification activities, and multidisciplinary trade studies
• Develops and validates analysis methodologies and engineering tools
• Provides technical guidance to junior engineers and cross-functional teams
• Drives issue resolution and technical decision-making with limited oversight
• Contributes significantly to aircraft architecture and design decisions

Principal Flight Physics Engineer (10+ Years)

• Recognized subject matter expert in aerodynamics, flight physics, and aircraft design
• Establishes technical vision, methodologies, and best practices for aerodynamic and flight physics disciplines
• Leads the most critical aircraft performance, stability, control, and aerodynamic development efforts
• Serves as a key technical authority influencing aircraft architecture, certification strategy, and program direction
• Develops novel analytical approaches and validation methods for advanced aircraft configurations
• Mentors senior engineers and helps shape organizational technical capability
• Directly influences program-level decisions through deep technical expertise and strategic insight
• Represents Electra in discussions with regulators, external partners, suppliers, and industry stakeholders
• Drives cross-functional alignment on highly complex technical challenges impacting aircraft performance and certification

Compensation:
$130,000 - $180,000 annually. 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

• Competitive salary and equity
• 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

Compensation and Benefits
In addition to offering an exciting work environment and the opportunity to be part of the team making Ultra Short flight a reality, at Electra, we offer an unparalleled total rewards package. Electra offers employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and life insurance, generous PTO and sick leave, company holidays, paid winter break, and a 401(k) plan with immediate vesting. Life at Electra includes a variety of perks, such as free catered lunches, amazing coffee, snacks, drinks, fruit, free parking, and opportunities for much more.
Working Conditions
Work is typically performed in a warehouse/aviation and office environment, which requires proper safety precautions. Work may require some physical effort in handling light materials, boxes, power tools, prototypes, and different materials or equipment. Due to the nature of our business and projects, some fieldwork may be required, working in both indoor and outdoor conditions. You may need to lift up to 50 lbs.
Background & Drug Screening
Successful completion of a background check and/or drug screening prior to starting work may be required for this position.
Commitment
We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those from marginalized or underrepresented groups in the tech industry and aerospace, to apply for our job openings. We firmly believe that a diverse range of perspectives can profoundly influence both our product and our company culture.
Electra is committed to a work environment that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination. It is our policy to be an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other factors prohibited by law. Electra will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals.
Electra is an E-Verify employer.