Full-Time

Manager Mechanical Actuator Development

Archer

Archer

1,001-5,000 employees

Designs and sells electric VTOL aircraft

Compensation Overview

$172k - $230k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

San Jose, CA, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Engineering Management (1)
Required Skills
FEM/FEA

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Requirements
  • 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: 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; Structural analysis (static, modal, buckling, and fatigue)
Responsibilities
  • 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
  • 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
Desired 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
  • 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

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, California

Founded

2020

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Archer landed AEG’s August 24, 2026 L.A. LIVE vertiport partnership.
  • The White House eIPP could start Archer operations later in 2026.
  • Q2 2026 liquidity reached $1.56 billion, funding certification and launch execution.

What critics are saying

  • Q2 2026 adjusted EBITDA loss hit $177.1 million, burning cash at scale.
  • Boeing receives 19.75% equity, plus warrants, diluting shareholders before commercialization.
  • FAA approval, urban vertiport buildout, and public acceptance can still kill LA28 operations.

What makes Archer unique

  • Archer became the only eVTOL OEM in FAA type-certification phase four by August 2026.
  • Boeing’s August 2026 deal brings Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid plus defense revenue.
  • Archer’s Midnight already flew Salinas-to-Monterey on July 30, 2026 with FAA coordination.

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Benefits

Performance Bonus

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-2%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

-2%
Yahoo Finance
Aug 24th, 2026
LA Live to unveil air taxi and house downtown's first vertiport for 2028 Olympics

Archer Aviation and AEG plan to unveil an air taxi at LA Live on Monday and construct downtown Los Angeles's first vertiport ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Santa Cruz-based aviation company aims to enable passengers to travel across the city in 10 to 20 minutes aboard its Midnight aircraft, turning hour-long commutes into short all-electric flights. Archer's planned Los Angeles network will include SoFi Stadium, USC, and Hollywood Burbank Airport, with Hawthorne Airport serving as its central hub. The companies have completed an initial feasibility study for the LA Live site, covering land use, airspace reviews, power availability, and community impact. The next phase examining operational approach and guest experience is underway. Competitor Joby Aviation showcased its electric air taxi in September 2024, also targeting a 2028 Olympics launch in Los Angeles.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 24th, 2026
Archer Aviation secures exclusive L.A. LIVE vertiport deal despite $263M net loss

Archer Aviation has partnered with AEG to build downtown Los Angeles' first vertiport at L.A. LIVE, becoming the exclusive air taxi partner for the district. The announcement came in August 2026, alongside the company's second-quarter results showing $5.0 million in sales and a net loss of $263.2 million. The L.A. LIVE vertiport strengthens Archer's visibility around urban deployment and its LA28 ambitions. However, near-term challenges remain, including widening net losses and ongoing certification work. Recent progress includes the Midnight aircraft completing a piloted roundtrip between Salinas and Monterey. Archer's narrative projects $716.0 million revenue by 2029, requiring 622.3% yearly revenue growth. Some optimistic analysts forecast revenue reaching $868.1 million by 2029. The partnership provides a visible launchpad for testing urban air mobility economics, though regulatory milestones and public acceptance remain key risks.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 19th, 2026
Archer Aviation exec sells $338K in shares to cover tax liability

Archer Aviation's Chief Legal and Strategy Officer Eric Lentell sold 52,762 shares of Class A common stock on 17 August 2026, valued at approximately $338,204, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The sale was non-discretionary and executed automatically to cover tax liabilities from vesting equity awards, not representing a change in investment stance. Lentell retains 185,011 directly held shares and 435,687 restricted stock units subject to future vesting. As of the transaction date, Archer Aviation shares had declined 35% over the previous year. The San Jose-based company develops electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban air mobility, with trailing twelve-month revenue of $6.9 million and net losses of $799.7 million.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 13th, 2026
Archer Aviation CEO upbeat as eVTOL maker nears US commercial launch with $1.56B cash reserve

Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein projects confidence despite the company not yet generating meaningful revenue or achieving profitability. The eVTOL manufacturer expects to begin initial US operations later this year through the White House's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, with plans to showcase its Midnight electric aircraft at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Archer became the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete phase 3 of the FAA's four-phase type certification process. The company held approximately $1.56 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at the end of Q2. Archer is acquiring Boeing's Wisk business, drone manufacturer Insitu, and airspace software company SkyGrid. The transaction adds Insitu's existing defence business, which generates over $200 million in annual revenue.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 12th, 2026
Archer Aviation acquires three Boeing businesses for 19.75% stake in exchange

Archer Aviation has agreed to acquire three Boeing businesses — Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid — in exchange for newly issued Archer stock. When the deal closes, Boeing will receive a 19.75% stake in Archer's Class A shares. The acquisition significantly bolsters Archer's defense business. Insitu, a military-drone company, generates over $200 million in annual revenue, compared to Archer's $300,000 in 2025. Wisk has completed more than 1,700 eVTOL flight tests, whilst SkyGrid provides air traffic management. The deal diversifies Archer beyond its urban air taxi ambitions, though it comes at the cost of shareholder dilution. Boeing also holds two warrants that could cause further dilution. Archer's shares initially surged 25% on the news before settling to a 13% gain.