Supernal opens US engineering HQ in Irvine

Supernal has opened its engineering headquarters in Irvine, California.

It is one of three permanent facilities Hyundai Motor Group’s AAM company is opening this year, including a Californian R&D facility in Fremont and a policy and commercial hub in Washington DC.

The current workforce of 200 is expected to expand to 500 to fill the 105,000sqft of office space that is being constructed alongside a 80,000sqft satellite test and evaluation site. Supernal wants to hire more than 100 employees for its Irvine facilities this year and it is looking for engineers with experience in flight control, airframe design, structural analysis, electrical and systems integration.

Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal, said: “The key to realising the potential of AAM hinges on leveraging exceptional tech talent, making Irvine the prime location for our engineering headquarters. This strategic location enables us to expand our rapidly growing team of industry experts in aerospace, automotive and deep-tech. Together, we are poised to redefine transportation and shape the future of AAM.”

Established in 2020, Supernal is developing an eVTOL and what it calls “the integrated ground-to-air ecosystem” to support AAM operations. As a subsidiary of Hyundai, part of Supernal’s plan is to integrate the automotive giant’s manufacturing technologies, supply chain capabilities and automation into AAM.

The four-story Irvine office space takes note of Supernal’s aviation industry, it said. Light fixtures throughout resemble clouds, while “flight paths” guide employees throughout the space and the office’s game room features aviation-themed decor. The building was designed by RMW Architectures and Interiors.