---
title: 'Staff Engineer, Systems Engineering at Supernal'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-engineer-systems-engineering-supernal-irvine-pjv1yrftn170'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Staff Engineer, Systems Engineering at Supernal

- **Company:** Supernal
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Compensation:** $213k–$261k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-29
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/supernal/jobs/7820481003

## 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:

The Staff Engineer, Systems Engineering serves as Supernal’s Systems Engineering technical authority in Irvine location, ensuring that engineering execution, system architecture, requirements, and certification activities remain aligned with FAA-recognized development standards and Supernal’s Part 21 Applicant obligations throughout the aircraft development lifecycle. This position requires an experienced professional with expertise in requirements definition and management across the whole aircraft, plus performance measurement within a product development environment.

This role oversees system-level consistency across sizing, architecture, configuration control, and verification activities, while maintaining disciplined alignment with ARP4754A/ARP4761A processes and certification readiness milestones. Acting as the systems engineering focal point, the position ensures that cross-functional technical decisions support vehicle-level performance, safety, and compliance objectives. In addition, the role supports Supernal’s readiness to assume FAA Part 21 Applicant responsibilities by reviewing major design milestones, identifying integration and certification risks, and ensuring technical outputs are appropriately integrated into Supernal’s engineering governance framework to preserve technical continuity. The position works closely with different engineering functions and liaises closely with the Strategy Team to ensure requirements meet the needs of the customer and business.

What you can do:

- Review and assess engineering processes and technical governance to ensure alignment with FAA-recognized development standards, including ARP4754A, ARP4761A, DO-178C, and DO-254, across all program phases
- Identify gaps between engineering processes and FAA-compliant systems frameworks, and define process enhancements required for certification readiness at major milestones
- Lead the structured transfer and internalization of engineering systems, compliance methodologies, and certification governance to maintain Applicant-level configuration and compliance control
- Review system architectures, system-level designs, and major technical decisions from a vehicle integration, safety, and certification perspective across all development phases
- Ensure consistency of sizing assumptions, margin strategies, performance allocations, safety budgets, and architectural trade-offs at the vehicle level
- Evaluate trade studies, configuration changes, and interface definitions for alignment with vehicle performance, safety targets, certification basis, and Means of Compliance
- Monitor cross-functional interfaces (powertrain, flight controls, structures, avionics, etc.) to prevent architectural inconsistencies and maintain configuration coherence
- Provide Supernal technical review positions and concurrence at major design milestones (SRR, PDR, TRR) and Configuration Control Boards for design baselines and significant changes
- Identify vehicle-level integration, safety, compliance, and certification risks from technical activities and require mitigation within delegated authority
- Ensure technical outputs—including requirements, verification artifacts, compliance data, and configuration records—remain aligned with Supernal’s FAA Part 21 Applicant obligations and certification strategy
- Escalate material technical deviations or certification risks to Supernal leadership when exceeding delegated authority or impacting Applicant obligations

What you can contribute:

- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical engineering, or related field is required; advanced degree preferred
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in aircraft systems engineering, integration
- Strong knowledge of SAE ARP4754A and ARP4761
- Working knowledge of DO-178C and DO-254 in certified aircraft programs
- Solid understanding of FAA certification frameworks, including 14 CFR Part 21
- Experience supporting certification programs and engaging with regulatory authorities
- Experience with requirements management and configuration control tools (e.g., DOORS)
- Familiarity with MBSE methodologies and modeling tools (e.g., Cameo, SysML)
- Aircraft safety experience preferred
- Ability to assess and improve engineering processes to ensure certification alignment
- Strong system-level integration and architecture review capability
- Ability to ensure vehicle-level design consistency across sizing, performance allocation
- Capability to evaluate trade studies and configuration changes from a compliance perspective
- Ability to manage cross-functional technical interfaces across multiple engineering domains
- Strong risk identification and structured mitigation planning skills
- Demonstrated ability to represent technical positions within engineering governance and key milestone / change reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR TRR, CCB)

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: $213,274—$260,668 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
- [Director, Civil Certification](https://feeny.ai/job/director-civil-certification-supernal-irvine-bnang2eg358w) — Irvine, CA
- [Sr. Manager, Mechanical and Flight Systems Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-manager-mechanical-and-flight-systems-engineering-supernal-irvine-7hnm98kb9nwd) — 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