Vehicle Dynamics Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Staff / Senior 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 Staff or Senior Flight Physics Engineer, you will support the design, development, analysis, and certification of Electra's hybrid-electric Ultra Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft. This role focuses on aircraft performance, flight physics, and multidisciplinary design analysis, helping ensure our aircraft meets demanding operational and certification requirements.
You will work closely with aerodynamics, flight sciences, systems, certification, flight test, and aircraft design teams to analyze aircraft performance across all phases of flight, evaluate certification compliance, and support critical design decisions. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with systems thinking and thrives in a fast-paced startup environment where collaboration, adaptability, and technical ownership are essential.
What You'll Do

• Analyze and evaluate aircraft performance across all phases of flight, including takeoff, landing, climb, cruise, and failure scenarios
• Incorporate aerodynamic data from flight testing, wind tunnel testing, and CFD simulations into aircraft performance models and evaluations
• Assess aircraft performance against FAA Part 23 certification requirements and support certification activities with regulatory authorities
• Conduct sensitivity studies and trade analyses to understand the impact of aircraft design parameters on performance metrics
• Develop and maintain performance analysis tools, models, and methodologies using Python or MATLAB
• Support aircraft design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, and certification reviews) by presenting analysis results and technical recommendations
• Provide performance, risk, and mass-property inputs to multidisciplinary trade studies and program decisions
• Define and evaluate aircraft-level requirements, architectures, and interfaces across systems and disciplines
• Collaborate with engineering teams to gather, analyze, and interpret data that drives informed design decisions
• Support validation of performance predictions through test planning, data analysis, and correlation activities
• Document engineering methods, analyses, assumptions, and results with a high degree of technical rigor

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Experience in aircraft performance analysis, flight sciences, aerodynamics, or related aerospace engineering disciplines
• Experience with aircraft certification requirements, particularly FAA Part 23 and/or Part 25
• Proficiency with Python or MATLAB for engineering analysis and modeling
• Experience using version control tools such as Git
• Strong understanding of flight vehicle dynamics and aircraft performance, particularly takeoff and landing performance
• Experience with vortex lattice method (VLM) and aircraft analysis tools such as AVL, xRotor, or similar
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems engineering skills
• Ability to effectively communicate technical findings to multidisciplinary audiences
• Experience developing and maintaining clear engineering documentation
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly integrated development environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
• Experience supporting aircraft development programs from conceptual design through certification
• Familiarity with aircraft systems and multidisciplinary aircraft design processes
• Experience analyzing novel aircraft configurations, eVTOL, eSTOL, hybrid-electric, or advanced air mobility aircraft
• Experience supporting FAA certification efforts and regulatory interactions
• Flight test analysis or flight sciences experience
• U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder) preferred

Leveling Expectations
Level (Staff or Senior) will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, demonstrated technical capabilities, and degree of independence and ownership.
Both levels require strong analytical capabilities, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to solve complex aircraft performance challenges. Differentiation between levels is based on technical leadership, scope of responsibility, influence, and autonomy.
Staff Flight Physics Engineer (6+ Years)

• Applies advanced engineering principles to aircraft performance and flight physics analyses
• Works under general direction on complex technical challenges
• Executes aircraft performance, certification, and trade study analyses with a high degree of independence
• Contributes technical expertise to multidisciplinary design decisions
• Supports certification activities, design reviews, and validation efforts
• Identifies technical risks and develops data-driven recommendations
• Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned technical workstreams

Senior Flight Physics Engineer (8+ Years)

• Demonstrates broad expertise across aircraft performance, flight sciences, certification, and systems-level analysis
• Works under limited direction to solve highly complex and ambiguous technical challenges
• Independently develops analysis methodologies, tools, and approaches
• Leads major performance evaluations, certification analyses, and multidisciplinary trade studies
• Serves as a key technical authority for aircraft performance and flight physics disciplines
• Influences aircraft design decisions through technical leadership and data-driven insights
• Mentors engineers and drives cross-functional collaboration across multiple development efforts
• Owns critical technical scope and supports program-level decision making

Location & Travel
Location: Manassas, VA Headquarters. To encourage close collaboration, this role operates in a hybrid environment with 3-4 days per week onsite and some virtual work flexibility.
Compensation
$110,000.00 - $160,000.00 annually. This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on relevant experience, education, skills, level, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus, equity eligibility, 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
• Free on-site parking
• Opportunity to help build and certify a groundbreaking hybrid-electric aircraft that will redefine regional air mobility

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.