0181 - Product Operations Engineer

About Electra: 

Electra’s next gen mission is to develop Ultra Short aircraft built for Direct Aviation. We are redefining the next level of connectivity by pioneering Direct Aviation – without airports, emissions, or noise. Electra’s Ultra Short aircraft will revolutionize air travel by bringing it closer to where we live, work, and play, making new connections possible. This makes a new venture like Electra exciting and fast-paced. Headquartered in Northern Virginia, we're on a quest to build a team of insanely talented people who want to do meaningful work.  

Position Overview 

Electra.aero, a next-gen aerospace technology company, seeks a dynamic Product Operations Engineer. This role will support Electra’s business development, product, and engineering teams to define Electra’s nine-passenger Ultra Short aircraft. You will be responsible for analyzing the operational aspects of the product, and your work will be key to the overall business success of the company. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Part 135 airline operations, aircraft design, operation and maintenance, the air transportation industry, and data analytics. As an early-stage startup company, this position requires a versatile person who is not afraid to work hard, move fast, and jump in to fill any need that arises across the company. As the company will evolve and grow with time, so will this job. This position is in Manassas, VA.   

We are seeking a candidate with the following key experience and skills: 

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:  

• Customer Operations Interface: Act as the face of the EL-9 team to the operational organizations of potential airline customers. Collect customer feedback, conduct market research and competitive assessment, develop EL-9 requirements and performance metrics, and synthesize insights into digestible and actionable products for internal engineering, leadership, and investor customers. The ideal candidate will have prior experience operating a P121 or P135 airline. 

• Aircraft Operations Planning: Develop and maintain concepts of operations for the EL-9 in different use cases. Identify flight routing, airspace integration, and airport access for potential missions. Conduct travel time, fuel burn, and aircraft performance studies for the EL-9 and alternative aircraft. Develop models of fleet scheduling and management. Support development of maintenance programs, operational specifications, and other operator artifacts.  

• Product Engineering: Act as the voice of the customer to engineering to reflect the elicited customer requirements and operating processes. Support the development of operational cost models, maintenance models, and the aircraft bill of materials.   

• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely across Electra’s engineering and business development teams to gather information, update product models, and infuse information back into these teams.  

• Support Conceptual Design: Synthesize market insights to provide critical input and guidance during the conceptual design phase to influence design decisions with quantitative analysis and advocacy.  

• Report Results and Recommendations: Prepare and present detailed reports, visualizations, and recommendations to project stakeholders, including leadership teams and external partners. 

• Other duties as assigned. 
   

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, operations research, or a related field  

• 2 years of experience in relevant discipline areas or an equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience. 

Required Skills: 

• Pilot’s license and/or previous aviation experience. The ideal candidate would have Part 135 or Part 121 operational experience.  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams, customers, and external partners 

• Proficient in Python or similar programming language 

• Excellent multitasking and problem-solving abilities 

• Exceptional time-management skills 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master’s or PhD degree in business or engineering discipline desired 

• Prior experience working on unconventional configurations (e.g., blended wing bodies, VTOL, or supersonic aircraft) 

• Experience with the aircraft development process and familiarity with aircraft systems. 

• Knowledge of FAA/EASA certification requirements, as applicable to novel aircraft designs 

• US Person (Citizen or Green Card) Preferred 

Location: 

• Headquarters in Manassas, VA. 

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.

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.

Salary : $80,000 - $110,000