Autonomy Chief Engineer

The Role

Electra is seeking a highly experienced Autonomy Chief Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of flight autonomy systems for future variants of our flagship nine-passenger EL9 aircraft and other next-generation products.

This is a highly visible technical leadership role where you will act as the primary architect and integrator for autonomy systems, driving design maturity, defining requirements, engaging suppliers, and preparing the program for key gate and certification milestones. You'll partner closely with engineering, program leadership, and certification teams to bring advanced autonomy capabilities from concept through validation.

What You'll Do

Technical Integration and Design Maturity

• Define autonomy concept of operations, functional decomposition, and system architecture
• Develop integration strategies aligned with existing EL9 aircraft design
• Evaluate architectures and interfaces for completeness, performance, and integration risk
• Partner with the EL9 PMO to conduct trade studies for autonomous capability enhancements

Requirements Development and Traceability

• Lead development of autonomy system requirements across aircraft and supporting systems
• Ensure high-quality requirements flowdown, traceability, and configuration control
• Collaborate cross-functionally to validate requirements alignment with program goals
• Assess verification strategies for feasibility and effectiveness

Supplier Engagement

• Evaluate supplier landscape across autonomy systems, infrastructure, and data
• Lead supplier selection, engagement, and downselect activities
• Manage technical relationships with external partners

Program Planning and Reviews

• Develop autonomy system development, integration, and test plans
• Lead technical gate reviews as design matures
• Support certification strategy development in partnership with Certification teams, including FAA and defense authorities
• Provide technical recommendations and insights to program leadership

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience ( advanced degree preferred)
• US Persons required
• Extensive experience (typically 12+ years) in flight autonomy or highly automated systems development
• Proven ownership of complex autonomous system design and integration
• Experience supporting or participating in government certification programs, including FAA and/or defense airworthiness processes
• Strong background in formal development processes (e.g., ARP4754B)
• Demonstrated technical leadership of engineering teams and supplier engagements, through direct management and/or senior technical direction
• Experience conducting trade studies and preparing for design reviews
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to deliver clear, actionable technical feedback

Preferred Qualifications

• Pilot certificate
• Experience with ground and flight test planning and execution
• Demonstrated mentorship of senior engineers and Integrated Product Team(IPT) leads

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

Travel

• Travel: Up to 25% for supplier engagement, integration efforts, and program reviews

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.