0158 - Senior Multidisciplinary Optimization 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 Senior Multidisciplinary Optimization Engineer.  This role will support Electra’s advanced programs development work, notably the NASA Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES 2050) project. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in multidisciplinary design analysis and optimization (MDAO) and software development, ideally focused on aircraft design, within a fast-paced, innovative environment. As an early-stage startup company, this position requires a versatile person who is not afraid to work hard and move fast. As the company will evolve and grow with time, so will this job. This position is for in-person work at Electra’s headquarters in Manassas, VA, but a remote position will be considered for the right candidate.  

The Big Picture: 

• Alignment: This role will execute advanced aircraft modeling and design as part of the advanced concepts group to help set the course of future technology and products for the company and broader aviation industry, with a focus on environmental sustainability. 

• Continuous Improvement: This role will design, develop, and conduct analysis with advanced tools while assessing these tools and workflows to roll out to the broader engineering organization. 

• Force Multiplier: This role will be a critical force multiplier for the advanced projects group as the team grows and takes on high-visibility and ambitious projects.  
   

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

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:  

• Develop and Implement MDAO Frameworks: Lead the design, integration, and implementation of MDAO frameworks tailored for advanced aircraft design, incorporating multidisciplinary analysis tools and optimization algorithms. 

• Perform System-Level Trade Studies: Conduct detailed trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, optimize performance, and balance competing objectives such as aerodynamics, structural integrity, propulsion efficiency, and cost. 

• Integrate Multidisciplinary Tools and Models: Integrate and validate tools from various disciplines (e.g., CFD, FEM, propulsion, thermal analysis) within a unified MDAO environment to ensure seamless workflow automation and robust simulations. 

• Drive Optimization and Design Processes: Apply advanced optimization techniques to solve complex, high-dimensional design problems, delivering innovative solutions for cutting-edge aircraft configurations. 

• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with aerodynamicists, structural engineers, propulsion experts, and systems engineers to define objectives, develop models, and deliver optimized designs. 

• Lead Computational Analysis and Validation: Oversee the execution of computational simulations, ensuring model accuracy, convergence, and validation against experimental or historical data. 

• Support Conceptual Design: Provide critical input and guidance during the conceptual design phase to influence major design decisions with quantitative analysis. 

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

• Collaborate and Lead University Partners: Interact with graduate students and manage their contributions of data, code, and analysis to the project. 

• Other duties as assigned. 
   

Required Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, or a closely related field such as mechanical engineering, applied computer science, or a multidisciplinary field  

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

Required Skills: 

• Extensive experience in setting up, running, and refining MDAO frameworks for complex engineering systems, especially in aerospace and aircraft design applications 

• Proficiency in optimization algorithms and their application to multidisciplinary problems. 

• Advanced proficiency in Python and/or C++/C/Fortran, with a focus on integrating multidisciplinary analysis tools and for design optimization and trade-off studies 

• Experience with software development and collaborative version control in a team environment 

• Deep knowledge of aerodynamic, structural, propulsion, and/or thermal analysis tools (e.g., CFD, FEM, thermal solvers) and their integration into aircraft design processes 

• Comprehensive understanding of advanced aircraft design principles, including aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and flight performance 

• Experience with data visualization, analysis, and management in large-scale simulations 

• Familiarity with systems engineering principles, trade studies, and lifecycle design optimization 

• Solid technical background and technical communication skills 

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

• Self-motivated, organized, independent worker with the initiative to take the work to the next level 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master’s or PhD degree in relevant engineering discipline strongly desired 

• Prior experience with aircraft design and working with unconventional aircraft configurations 

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

• Familiarity with emerging trends in sustainable aviation, such as electric propulsion, hybrid systems, integrated propulsion systems, or high-performance materials 

• Contributions to open-source MDAO or engineering analysis tools 

• Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments and cloud-based computing 

• US Person (Citizen or Green Card) Preferred 

Location:

Headquarters in Manassas, VA  

Travel: <25%

Salary: Electra's salary range for this position is: $91,000.00- $231,000.00
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.