Principal Quality Engineer - Manufacturing & Certification

About the role

As a Principal Quality Engineer at Electra, you'll serve as a dual-site quality presence across our Manassas, VA headquarters and our future manufacturing site in Springfield, OH. You'll be embedded across Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Flight Test, and Tooling — owning day-to-day quality oversight while simultaneously helping build the QMS infrastructure we'll carry into FAA type and production certification. This is a hands-on role with significant ownership. You'll sit at the intersection of regulatory compliance and production execution — running floor inspections, leading MRB disposition, supporting flight test conformity, and developing the training and lean quality systems that will scale with our rate ramp.

Responsibilities

• Represent Electra's Quality department with professionalism and positive intent at all locations and in all interactions — from the shop floor to executive stakeholder meetings
• Support FAA Part 23 Type and Production Certification efforts at Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH, providing quality oversight and documentation in alignment with program milestones
• Partner with Manufacturing, Production, Engineering, Tooling, Flight Test, and Facilities teams through hands-on on-site support, evaluations, inspections, and periodic status reporting using Electra's established tools and methods
• Lead development, documentation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of a compliant FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System, including Production/Manufacturing floor oversight, in-process inspections, and Receiving Inspection
• Serve as the Quality focal for Material Review Board (MRB) activities — driving disposition of non-conforming parts and articles, supporting root cause investigation, and maintaining a Safety/Quality-first presence at all times
• Support the future development and implementation of an AS9100D / AS9102-compliant Quality System, should program objectives require it
• Drive Lean quality practices across Production and Manufacturing, including shop floor control, tool and equipment calibration, and employee certification and competency programs
• Support FAA Flight Test operations at both Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH — including Pre/Post Flight quality activities, Safe to Fly determinations, and FAA Conformity Inspections
• Develop, deliver, and maintain a comprehensive Quality Training Program that builds capability across the production organization
• Own predictive quality and rate acceleration objectives — implementing techniques and systems that enable Manufacturing to achieve production rate milestones reliably and on schedule
• Provide additional quality support as program needs evolve

Requirements

• 10+ years of quality engineering experience in an aerospace or aviation manufacturing environment, with demonstrated experience supporting FAA certification programs
• Working knowledge of FAA CFR 21.137 Quality Management System requirements and the ability to develop and maintain compliant documentation and procedures
• Hands-on experience with in-process and receiving inspection, MRB disposition, and non-conformance management
• Familiarity with AS9100D and/or AS9102 standards and their application in an active production environment
• Experience supporting FAA flight test operations, including Conformity Inspections and Safe to Fly determinations
• Demonstrated ability to build and deliver technical training programs for production personnel
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and their application to quality and production rate improvement
• Strong cross-functional communication skills — comfortable working across engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory stakeholders in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment
• Willingness and ability to travel and support operations at multiple sites (Manassas, VA and Springfield, OH)
• US Person (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience supporting a Part 23 production approval or production certification milestone
• Prior experience standing up a QMS from early-stage to audit-ready at a startup or growth-stage aerospace company
• Familiarity with FAA DER/DAR/DMIR processes and their intersection with production quality
• A&P Mechanic certificate or equivalent practical aviation maintenance background
• Exposure to eVTOL, hybrid-electric, or novel propulsion aircraft programs

Pay

This range reflects the anticipated hiring range across all eligible locations; actual compensation is determined based on your relevant experience, skills, and geographic location. Total compensation includes performance bonus and comprehensive benefits.

Compensation Range: $150,000 USD - $190,000 USD

Benefits

• 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