0190 - Test Pilot

Manassas, VA
Full Time
Experienced

Test Pilot 

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, 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.

Job Description 
Electra is seeking an experienced Test Pilot to support development and piloting of both our two seat prototype and 9-passenger product hybrid electric, blown wing, UltraShort (eSTOL) aircraft.  This is an incredible hands-on opportunity to make a direct impact on the future of aviation and advanced air mobility. This position will be based in Manassas, Virginia. You will be a part of a professional, high-performing flight team whose goal is to supply accurate, repeatable, and cost-effective data to the engineering group. The primary objective of this role is to pilot our experimental technical demonstrator and other products. Additional objectives include normal Test Pilot duties relating to testing and certification and developing user interfaces, operating procedures, and training. This role will also support the development, certification, and demonstration of STOL test and evaluation.  
 
Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions 

  • Complete experimental flight tests in an UltraShort take-off and landing aircraft 

  • Coordinate with flight test engineering teams to develop test plans, test cards, and test procedures  

  • Develop and maintain flight manuals, operations, checklists, and procedures 

  • Lead and/or participate in the safety of flight and flight readiness review boards 

  • Complete all required documentation in accordance with established company and FAA procedures 

  • Maintain flying currency and proficiency in multiple different aircraft types 

  • Other duties as assigned 

Required Education & Experience 

  • Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related field 

  • Ten (10) or more years of experience as a flight test engineer or test pilot directly related to the flight evaluation of crewed aircraft 

Required Skills 

  • Commercial pilot license, single-engine and multi-engine land, with instrument rating
    -FAA Class II Medical 
    -Without limitations 

  • Total time 
    -1500 hours in aircraft 
    -100 hours turbine 

  • PIC time 
    -1000 hours in the airplane category 
    -100 hours testing experimental aircraft 

  • Long course graduate of a recognized test pilot school or five years of equivalent experimental test pilot experience 

  • Experience with risk management, including hazard identification and preparing risk assessments 

  • Experience with experimental aircraft certification and testing 

  • Familiarity with standard flight test processes and procedures 

  • Knowledge of the FAA civil certification process 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

  • Proactive delivery of communication and follow up 

  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail 

  • Must have the ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints 

  • A strong work ethic and ability to independently execute the areas described in the responsibilities and essential functions 

  • Excellent organizational, collaboration and communication skills, ability to work effectively under pressure and with a team 

Desired Qualifications 

  • Master’s degree in engineering or related field 

  • Experience working with the FAA and familiarization with aircraft, helicopter, or powered lift FAA certification programs 

  • Experience supporting the envelope expansion of new model aircraft 

  • Formation flying, flight training, and media demos 

  • Experience developing/optimizing simulators/ground control station and training equipment 

  • Experience in developing digital flight control systems 

  • Experience flight testing rapid prototype aircraft and components 

  • Experience working in fast-paced small teams 

Travel: Up to 50% of domestic and international travel 

Salary: Electra's salary range for this position is: $111,550.00- $261,900.00
Our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum range for the Company level overall across all locations & projects and does not necessarily reflect the budgeted amount for this position. Individual pay is based on additional factors, including project budgets, job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training, role, level, location, and project.

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.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date