A

Archer

Designs and sells electric VTOL aircraft

Flight Test Maintenance - A&P

Full-Time
$87k - $108k
Senior, Expert
Salinas, CA, USA
In PersonRequires travel 5–10% of the time.
Aerospace EngineeringAviation Operations & Aircraft Maintenance
H1B Sponsorship Available

About the job

Requirements
  • Hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant license (A&P).
  • Have 8+ years of experience in the aerospace industry.
  • Have 8+ years of aircraft maintenance experience.
  • Have previous developmental or Part 23/Part 27 certification flight test maintenance experience.
  • Have hands-on experience with fly-by-wire aircraft and flight test instrumentation.
  • Have aircraft configuration management and conformity experience.
  • Have experience working with high-voltage systems.
  • Know wiring techniques and best practices, including crimping, routing, and securing.
  • Be able to drive aircraft tugs, carts, and lifts within an airport environment.
  • Have strong written and verbal communication skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to communicate and build cross-functional relationships.
  • Be able to work with all levels of personnel and interact effectively with technicians and engineers.
  • Have planning and organizational skills, including the ability to give direction to others.
  • Be able to drive continuous improvement activities and promote a professional shop and organizational environment.
  • Be able to work a flexible schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Responsibilities
  • Build and maintain a fly-by-wire aircraft according to aviation standards using shop and calibrated tooling, including torque wrenches, crimping tools, and stripping tools.
  • Perform developmental, experimental, and production aircraft maintenance, repair, modification, installation, and testing tasks, giving direction to others as needed.
  • Marshall, charge, preflight, and maintain aircraft to ensure readiness for daily flight test operations by minimizing aircraft downtime and maximizing aircraft availability.
  • Help create and carry out Flight Test maintenance policies and procedures, including 5S, FOD, work orders, and tool control.
  • Follow maintenance safety policies and procedures for ground operations as part of the Safety Management System.
  • Provide plans and status updates to the Flight Test Maintenance Manager on assigned aircraft and projects.
  • Provide input on the design and fabrication of novel air vehicles from a hands-on repairability and maintainability perspective.
  • Maintain aircraft maintenance records required by FAA regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and company policy.
  • Comply with Engineering Orders affecting Flight Test Aircraft and communicate aircraft deficiencies to the Maintenance Manager or Engineering.
  • Ensure calibration of test equipment and tools.
  • Ensure that products, parts, supplies, and consumables are adequately stocked to meet Flight Testing operations.
  • Monitor expiration dates for aircraft parts, aircraft and hangar consumable supplies, first aid kits, and applicable survival and emergency equipment.
  • Work from technical materials such as blueprints, schematics, handbooks, drawings, and engineering work orders, providing feedback as required.
  • Meet scheduled timelines and, in some cases, aggressive deadlines to have aircraft flight-ready for project milestones.
  • Assume duties delegated by the Flight Test Maintenance Manager.
Desired Qualifications
  • Have 10+ years of aviation experience.
  • Have prior experience with electric aircraft or eVTOL.
  • Have working knowledge of composite airframes and repair.
  • Have underpinning knowledge of IPC 610/620.
  • Have experience working with CAD, NX, Confluence, and JIRA.

About the company

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 completed July 30, 2026 Salinas-to-Monterey flights, validating city-to-city operations.
  • August 2026 L.A. LIVE exclusive vertiport deal anchors LA28 visibility and infrastructure.
  • The Pentagon still values Archer’s $142 million Air Force contract and hybrid defense pivot.

What critics are saying

  • Joby’s September 2026 trade-secrets case survived, prolonging legal distraction and discovery costs.
  • Midnight still lacks FAA type certification, so 2026 passenger service remains unproven.
  • If certification or eIPP slips, Archer burns cash against $2.785 billion accumulated losses.

What makes Archer unique

  • Boeing’s August 2026 deal gives Archer Wisk, Insitu, SkyGrid, and Boeing backing.
  • Archer closed FAA Phase 3 first and received 100% Means of Compliance acceptance.
  • Its golden manufacturing line links Silicon Valley learning directly to Georgia production ramp.

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Benefits

  • Performance Bonus

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 19th, 2026
Archer Aviation could hit $506M revenue by 2028, but spending may still outpace it

Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) could more than triple its revenue by the end of 2028, according to one analyst view. Analysts expect about $506 million, up from roughly $7 million over the last 12 months. The company's Midnight aircraft can fly but still lacks the FAA approval needed for full-scale commercial passenger operations. Several deals could drive growth. Archer plans to buy three Boeing subsidiaries, including a profitable drone business with more than $200 million in annual revenue. It also supplies electric powertrains for Anduril's Omen aircraft, and the United Arab Emirates has committed to buy 50 Omen systems. Even so, $500 million may not cover costs. Archer's operating expenses last quarter were about $284 million.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 17th, 2026
Cathie Wood's ARK buys $12.1M of Archer Aviation as shares fall 46% this year

ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, bought 2,566,731 shares of Archer Aviation on October 4, worth about $12.1 million at that day's closing price. The shares were bought by its Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF and Space Exploration & Innovation ETF. Archer's stock has fallen 26% in the past month and 46% this year. The company, which has a market cap of $3.6 billion, is developing Midnight, an electric air taxi with vertical takeoff and landing. In the second quarter, Archer's revenue rose to $5.0 million from $1.6 million in the first quarter, but net loss was $263.2 million. It ended the quarter with $1.56 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Of 10 analysts covering the stock, five rate it a "Strong Buy." The average target price is $10.40.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 11th, 2026
Barclays' military focus on Archer Aviation meets patent fight; fair value $10.61

Barclays began analyst coverage of Archer Aviation in October 2026 with a favourable view. It pointed to the company's military work and operational strengths as key drivers of its Midnight electric aircraft programme. Archer is also in a patent dispute with Vertical Aerospace over alleged infringement tied to Midnight. The new counterclaim adds legal uncertainty, though it looks more like an overhang than a change to certification and deployment milestones. The bull case rests on Midnight winning FAA certification and starting operations. September's city-to-city Midnight flights in Northern California were a step in that direction. Simply Wall St's narrative projects $716.0 million in revenue and $62.9 million in earnings by 2029. It puts fair value at $10.61, 114% above the current price.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 29th, 2026
Archer Aviation uses 'golden manufacturing line' to scale Midnight eVTOL production

Archer Aviation is implementing a "golden manufacturing line" strategy to streamline its transition from early aircraft builds to high-volume production. The approach uses its Silicon Valley facility for final assembly during the initial phase whilst preparing its Georgia site for larger-scale manufacturing. The strategy enables Archer to identify production issues early and apply lessons from initial Midnight aircraft builds to its Georgia operation. The company is focusing internal development on key technologies including electric and hybrid propulsion systems, flight control software, and composites, whilst sourcing non-differentiating components from existing aerospace suppliers. This manufacturing approach aims to support a structured transition as Archer works towards certification and commercial deployment. The company is currently ramping up production capabilities across facilities in California and Georgia.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 26th, 2026
Pentagon shifts eVTOL focus to hybrid aircraft, Archer lands $142M Air Force contract

The Pentagon is shifting its eVTOL aircraft priorities towards hybrid propulsion and autonomous flight technologies, impacting contracts with Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation. Archer holds a contract with the US Air Force's Agility Prime programme valued at up to $142 million, whilst Joby's contract reached a potential $131 million. The Department of Defence reduced Joby's contract scope in 2025 as priorities changed. Joby is responding by acquiring defence contractor Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million, which generated over $100 million in revenue over the previous 12 months. Archer has partnered with Anduril to develop Thunder, an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL platform for military missions. In August, Archer announced plans to acquire Boeing's Insitu, Wisk Aero, and SkyGrid businesses, with Insitu alone generating over $200 million annually.