Archer

Designs and sells electric VTOL aircraft

Manager – Mechanical Actuator Development

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Jose, CA, USA$172k - $230kIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in actuated mechanism or electromechanical system design.
Strong communication and presentation skills at any organizational level.
Ability to take ownership of complex engineering problems through completion.
Initiative in seeking critical information and driving technical closure.
Experience in most of the following: geometric dimensioning and tolerancing for mechanical systems; kinematic analysis and optimization; design for 14 CFR Part 23 systems compliance; structural analysis using hand calculations and finite-element methods; materials selection, including alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and surface finishes; Siemens NX CAD and Simcenter or ANSYS finite-element analysis tools; rolling-element bearing selection and sizing; involute gear tooth design and analysis; ball and/or lead screw design and analysis; and static, modal, buckling, and fatigue structural analysis.

Responsibilities

Lead design and mechanical system engineers in designing and developing high-performance, flight-critical electromechanical actuation systems from concept through production.
Own overall actuator mechanical design and integration of motors, geartrains, rolling-element screws, bearings, brakes, housings, sensors, and electronics.
Perform trade studies to optimize system architecture and mass while meeting performance and fault-tolerance requirements.
Create and review CAD models, drawings, and engineering specifications.
Develop actuator-system and detailed component specifications and requirements.
Build and maintain system-level models to validate actuator performance.
Act as the single point of contact for custom actuation development.
Work with the program manager to develop and maintain milestone and schedule strategies.
Develop relationships and collaborate with internal functional groups on custom motor, controller, and thermal designs.
Partner with design owners for actuator controller, flight controls, guidance, navigation and control, power systems, airframe, and software to deliver an optimized aircraft system.
Drive cross-functional project teams, coordinating with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and test engineering.
Lead design reviews and provide technical expertise for key decisions.
Lead by example through hands-on problem solving, engineering rigor, and accountability.
Demonstrate best practices in documentation, testing, and design validation.
Mentor and oversee junior engineers, fostering their professional growth.
Collaborate with systems, safety, and reliability teams on design failure mode and effects analysis and validate and clarify requirements.
Lead and oversee technical performance of partners and suppliers for subassemblies and critical components.

Desired Qualifications

Familiarity with product data management systems.
Project or program management experience.
Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, Mathcad, and/or LabVIEW.
Hands-on experience in a machine shop or with mechanical assembly, professionally or as a hobby.
Experience with RTCA DO-160, structural, or actuator mechanism testing.
Demonstrated interest in aviation, such as pilot training or a pilot license.
Experience with requirements management tools in aerospace development processes.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

What You’ll Do

Design

Lead a team of design and mechanical system engineers to design and develop high-performance, flight-critical electromechanical actuation systems from concept through production
Own overall actuator mechanical design and integration of motors, geartrains, rolling-element screws, bearings, brakes, housings, sensors, and electronics
Perform trade studies to optimize system architecture and mass while meeting performance and fault-tolerance requirements
Create and review CAD models, drawings, and engineering specifications
Develop actuator-system and detailed component specifications and requirements
Build and maintain system-level models to validate actuator performance

Leadership

Act as single point focal for custom actuation development
Work side-by-side with program manager to development and maintain milestone and schedule strategies
Develop strong relationships and work seamlessly with internal functional groups for custom motor, controller, and thermal designs
Partner with peer design owners including actuator controller, flight controls, GNC, power systems, airframe, and software to deliver an optimized integrated system for the aircraft
Drive cross-functional project teams, coordinating with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and test engineering
Lead design reviews and provide technical expertise for key decisions
Lead by example through hands-on problem solving, engineering rigor, and accountability
Demonstrate best practices in documentation, testing, and design validation
Mentor and oversee junior engineers, fostering professional growth
Collaborate with systems, safety, and reliability teams to inform DFMEA and ensure requirements are fully validated and understood
Lead and oversee technical performance of partnerships and suppliers for varied levels of subassemblies and critical components

What You’ll Need

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field)
8+ years of experience in actuated mechanism or electromechanical system design
Strong communication and presentation skills at any level within the organization
Proven ability to take ownership of complex engineering problems through completion
Demonstrated initiative in seeking out critical information and driving technical closure
Experience in the majority of the following areas:

- GD&T for mechanical systems
- Kinematic analysis and optimization
- Design for 14 CFR Part 23 systems compliance
- Structural analysis using hand calculations and finite-element methods
- Materials selection, including alloys, heat treatments, allowables, and surface finishes
- Siemens NX CAD and Simcenter or ANSYS FEA tools
- Rolling element bearing selection and sizing
- Involute gear tooth design and analysis
- Ball and/or lead screw design and analysis
- Structural analysis (static, modal, buckling, and fatigue)

Bonus Qualifications

Familiarity with PDM systems
Project or program management experience
Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, Mathcad, and/or LabVIEW
Hands-on experience in a machine shop or with mechanical assembly (professional or hobby)
Experience with RTCA DO-160, structural, or actuator mechanism testing
Demonstrated interest in aviation, such as pilot training or license
Experience in requirements management tools in the context of aerospace development processes.

At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that support the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $172,000 - $230,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to [email protected]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.

About the Company

Archer

Designs and sells electric VTOL aircraft

Archer designs and develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban transport. Its eVTOLs use electric propulsion to take off and land vertically, enabling compact, city-friendly air mobility that can serve urban commuters and feed into air taxi networks. The company sells its aircraft directly and may in the future generate revenue from air taxi services or related operations, blending aircraft sales with service fees. Archer differentiates itself by focusing on the urban air mobility market and pursuing a direct-sales approach paired with potential operation services, aiming to partner with city planners and transportation networks to integrate eco-friendly, on-demand urban transport. The goal is to advance sustainable, city-centered air mobility and help cities reduce congestion and pollution by offering practical, electric aerial transit.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: San Jose, CA
Founded: 2020

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