---
title: 'Sr. Manager, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering at Supernal'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manager-mechanical-and-flight-systems-engineering-supernal-irvine-7hnm98kb9nwd'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Sr. Manager, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering at Supernal

- **Company:** Supernal
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Compensation:** $221k–$270k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/supernal/jobs/7796037003

## Job description

Rise above. Are you ready to take human possibility to a new dimension with us?

Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company that’s developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support the emerging industry. By creating a sustainable, integrated, and human-centered ecosystem, we are committed to taking a thoughtful and responsible approach to entering the AAM market with a product that meets the high level of safety and reliability in today’s air transportation system.

The future of mobility starts with people. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people’s ability to move – whether for work or play. Join our dynamic team as we strive to be a part of something greater where potential powers tomorrow!

Supernal provides an inviting open-space workplace designed to foster collaboration, which aligns with one of our core values. This position is required to work on-site 5 days a week.

What we do:

At Supernal, we are working on new eVTOL technology to make the world a better place with Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The Sr. Manager, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering (M&FS) is responsible for guiding the development and certification of innovative dynamic systems (rotors, gearboxes), airframe, materials & processes, avionics, actuation, landing gear, cockpit controls, and interiors designs to achieve functional and performance requirements. The department supports the complete life cycle of associated components: requirements, concept development, engineering integration, prelim and final design and analysis, manufacturing start-up, testing, qualification, certification, production and in-service support. The role works with team members across Supernal and externally on cutting edge technologies including rotor design, composite manufacturing, and advanced structural analysis to meet safety, quality, cost, schedule, and people goals. Our ideal candidate has significant experience and expertise in FAA certificated development programs. This role will report to the CTO.

What you can do:

Program Support

- Guide development, implementation, and certification of dynamic systems (rotor, gearbox), airframe, flight systems, and interiors components for all Supernal prototype/proof-of-concept and production programs
- Ensure the structural integrity of the rotors and airframe through appropriate analysis and test
- Ensure appropriate requirements development and validation and supplier selection and coordination for flight systems including avionics, actuation, inceptors, and landing gear
- Ensure all U/X and interior design requirements are engineered into the aircraft interior and certifiable
- Ensure materials and process selection, documentation, qualification, and execution practices meet acceptable standards and provide competitive advantage
- Plan and assign project responsibilities across the M&FS organization and ensure plans are integrated with other organizations across the company and partners
- Guide development of program M&FS requirements and supervise validation and verification
- Develop and manage schedule, budget, work scope, and risk by aligning resources to balance program needs for multiple programs in parallel
- Collaborate closely with “upstream” (Flight Tech, Product) and “downstream” (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Certification) internal stakeholders and suppliers to execute M&FS program work statement through all phases: requirements & concept development, engineering integration & design, manufacturing, testing, qualification, certification & production
- Establish and implement M&FS product development workflows and deploy from conceptual design to first article production
- Maintain effective communication with the leadership team, internal departments, suppliers, and customers concerning technical issues affecting the program

Strategy

- Define strategic direction for M&FS including staffing, make/buy, and technology decisions
- Guide selection and development of new manufacturing technologies, engineering tools, and aircraft structural designs
- Collaborate to provide needs for and guide “building block”-based development of next generation materials and manufacturing methods to support very high-rate production vehicles, aligned to the needs of the aircraft and business
- Ensure that the Technical and Manufacturing Readiness (TRL/MRL) of strategic technologies meet M&FS needs
- Identify and review opportunities for developing and/or acquiring new technologies required to improve safety, reliability, performance, and cost, including via collaborations with external research organizations as appropriate
- Establish strategies for testing to define and validate methods, material properties, and simulation techniques

## Team Development

- Build high-performing, cohesive teams in Dynamic Systems, Airframe, M&P, Flight Systems, and Interiors Design, Analysis, and Test
- Provide infrastructure, support and awareness of resources to entire M&FS Team
- Create and execute strategies for coaching, mentoring, and developing the M&FS Engineering function across Supernal, including training
- Meet company goals for diversity, equity and inclusion
- Hire experienced, yet forward-thinking team members
- Provide subject matter expertise (SME) to M&FS team

Functional Excellence

- Establish culture of quality and safety within M&FS function, including by creating and managing metrics for engineering performance and quality; prioritize Safety Above All
- Develop and maintain analysis and design criteria, standards, policies and procedures for all Supernal teams doing M&FS engineering, acknowledging and accommodating the different design drivers and certification approaches
- Implement Supernal Part Classification consistently across teams

Collaboration

- Facilitate collaboration with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization as well as Hyundai Motor Group companies, suppliers, regulatory agencies, other governmental agencies, research institutions, and industry representatives as needed
- Represent M&FS at external and investor events
- Coordinate and communicate regularly with team members in Supernal to provide and receive updates on project progress, quality metrics, project summaries, and other related information
- May require up to 10% of domestic and international travel

What you can contribute:

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical, Aerospace, Aeronautical or equivalent disciplines is required
- Ten (10) years minimum experience working with fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft concept development, product design and analysis, test, certification, production, and in-service support, preferably FAA Part 23/25/27/29 programs
- Seven (7) years minimum experience with composite design, analysis and production
- Familiarity with aviation industry groups (e.g., CMH17, ASTM F44, RTCA) is desired
- Experience with implementation of new material and manufacturing techniques for FAA acceptance
- Experience working closely with multi-disciplinary teams of leaders to ensure the best quality decisions are made for the team as a whole
- Ability to distill high level goals and constraints into clear, concise, and actionable objectives is a must
- Experience with aerospace development program planning, budgeting, technology road-mapping, cross-functional collaboration, multi-disciplinary team leadership, functional excellence responsibilities, and multi-site organizational leadership experience is desired
- Ability to build productive relationships quickly and effectively with internal and external leaders
- 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
- Self-motivated and forward-thinking personality

Base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and location. This position is also eligible for a bonus as part of total compensation.

The pay range for this position is: $220,846—$269,922 USD

Click [HERE](https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits) or visit: https://jobs.supernal.aero/benefits to view our benefits!

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other category or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law. Individuals with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: ta-support@supernal.aero

This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. export controls laws and regulations. If an export authorization from an applicable US regulatory agency is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal’s receipt of such regulatory authorization(s) and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations pursuant to such authorization(s).

## About Supernal

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Supernal is an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, part of Hyundai Motor Group, developing an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the ground-to-air ecosystem to support a new era of urban air transportation.
- **Entity Type**: Private (subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group; spun out in 2021)
- **Headquarters**: Irvine, California, United States (moved from Washington, D.C. in 2023)
- **Founded**: 2020 (as a startup within Hyundai Motor Group)
- **Founders**: Supernal was created inside Hyundai Motor Group; founding leadership included Jaiwon Shin (former CEO, departed August 2025) and David McBride (former CTO, departed 2025). The company is currently led by an interim COO, with Dr. Farhan Gandhi appointed as CTO in May 2026. [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/) [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) / Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft development
- **Target Customers**: Initially B2B partners (infrastructure operators, municipalities, fleet operators) with eventual B2C focus for passenger service
- **Mission**: “Make advanced air mobility a safe and reliable option for everyday transportation.” [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)

## Products & Services
- **S-A2 / eVTOL Aircraft**: An electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle designed for four passengers plus a pilot. Supernal has built a technology demonstrator that completed tethered test flights in March 2025. The aircraft aims to turn a 45-minute car commute into a 10-minute flight. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)
- **Vertiport & Ecosystem**: Supernal is developing the full ground-to-air infrastructure, including vertiports that integrate with existing transit (robotaxis, buses, trains) and a clean-energy ecosystem for charging and operations. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Investment**: Supernal has received approximately **$1.7 billion** in investment from Hyundai Motor Group (as of September 2025, per the Orange County Register). [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
- **Key Metric (Headcount)**: Approximately **315 employees** as of mid-2026 (LinkedIn), down from ~500 in mid-2025 after multiple rounds of layoffs. The company announced 296 layoffs in February 2026 as part of a consolidation into its Irvine HQ. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero) [ocregister.com](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
- **Notable Investors / Parent**: Wholly owned by **Hyundai Motor Group**, with deep access to automotive manufacturing, automation, supply chain, and R&D capabilities.
- **Growth Signals**: Despite a pause in the aircraft program after leadership departures, Supernal appointed a new CTO (Dr. Farhan Gandhi) in May 2026 and is repositioning as a “lean, high-efficiency organization” focused on certification and technical validation. The company is prioritizing FAA coordination and aircraft concept refinement. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Hyundai Backing**: Access to world-class manufacturing, automation, supply chain expertise, and significant capital from one of the largest automotive groups globally.
- **Holistic Ecosystem Approach**: Developing not just the aircraft but also the vertiport and clean-energy infrastructure, aiming for seamless integration with existing urban transit (robotaxis, public transport).
- **Experienced Talent Pool**: The team includes many hires from aerospace leaders (Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin) and eVTOL competitors (Archer, Joby), plus automotive engineers from Hyundai/Rivian/Tesla. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero)

## Strategic Focus
- **Certification & Commercial Viability**: After a strategic realignment, Supernal is focusing on FAA certification, aircraft concept refinement, and building a sustainable business model. The new CTO’s expertise in rotorcraft aeromechanics aligns with this goal.
- **Operational Efficiency**: The company is operating as a “streamlined, high-efficiency organization” to stabilize operations and reduce burn rate, with a sharpened focus on business and operational development.
- **Tempered Timeline**: Rather than rushing to market, Supernal is emphasizing “building the right product and right market, first.” The original 2028 commercial service target is under reassessment. [supernal.aero](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/) [techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/07/hyundais-evtol-startup-supernal-pauses-work-following-ceo-and-cto-departures/)

## Why Work Here
- **Pioneering Technology**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft and shape a new mode of transportation with strong backing from Hyundai Motor Group.
- **Lean, High-Impact Team**: With the recent restructuring, the remaining team is small and focused, giving engineers and technical staff significant ownership over core technologies.
- **Location**: Based in Irvine, CA (Orange County) with access to test facilities in Mojave. The company has consolidated to a single HQ, indicating a more focused work environment.
- **Culture & Stability Notes**: The company has experienced significant leadership turnover, layoffs, and a program pause – job seekers should be aware of the instability, but the new leadership team (including a renowned CTO) aims to stabilize and advance the technical roadmap.
- **Work Policy**: Not publicly specified, but likely on-site at Irvine HQ given the manufacturing/engineering focus.

## Sources
1. [supernal.aero – Official Website](https://www.supernal.aero/)
2. [linkedin.com – Supernal Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/supernalaero)
3. [techcrunch.com – Hyundai's eVTOL startup Supernal pauses work after CEO and CTO departures](https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/07/hyundais-evtol-startup-supernal-pauses-work-following-ceo-and-cto-departures/)
4. [ocregister.com – Supernal CEO, CTO out at Hyundai’s aircraft startup in Irvine, part of leadership shakeup](https://www.ocregister.com/2025/09/05/supernal-ceo-cto-out-at-hyundais-aircraft-startup-in-irvine-part-of-leadership-shakeup/)
5. [supernal.aero – Supernal Appoints New CTO to Lead Next Phase of AAM Evolution (May 2026)](https://www.supernal.aero/newsroom/supernal-appoints-new-cto-to-lead-next-phase-of-aam-evolution/)

## Other roles at Supernal

- [Sr. Engineer, Control Laws (CLAWS) & Handling Qualities](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-engineer-control-laws-claws-handling-qualities-supernal-irvine-dwr90hg0pahq) — Irvine, CA
- [Lead Engineer, System Safety](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-engineer-system-safety-supernal-irvine-b28grn8hjrag) — Irvine, CA
- [Staff Engineer, Systems Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-systems-engineering-supernal-irvine-pjv1yrftn170) — Irvine, CA
- [Director, Civil Certification](https://feeny.ai/job/director-civil-certification-supernal-irvine-bnang2eg358w) — Irvine, CA
- [Sr. Aircraft Layout & CAD Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-aircraft-layout-cad-engineer-supernal-irvine-v65q8dsandzq) — Irvine, CA
- [International Expat: Systems Engineering & Integration Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/international-expat-systems-engineering-integration-manager-supernal-irvine-635nsnqnasfc) — Irvine, CA