Full-Time
Aerodynamics Engineer
Archer
1,001-5,000 employees
Designs and sells electric VTOL aircraft
Compensation Overview
$160k - $220k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
San Jose, CA, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- BS / MS / PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field
- 10+ years of experience with BS, or 8+ years of experience with MS, or 4+ years of experience with PhD modeling rotorcraft, tiltrotor, eVTOL aerodynamics at full-vehicle level
- Expert level understanding of fixed-wing and rotorcraft aerodynamics, performance, and stability & control
- Proven experience with gradient-based and gradient-free optimization techniques
- Experience with aerodynamic design of airfoils, wings, control surfaces or similar.
- Experience with surrogate modeling techniques (Kriging, Neural Networks or similar) for aerodynamic modeling and design
- Advanced Python proficiency
- Experience with software development tools and best practices: version control (Git), software testing, environment management, CI/CD
- Experience with experimental data processing and reduction techniques
- Excellent work planning and issue resolution skills
- Exceptional technical communication and the ability to drive results in a high-velocity, collaborative design environment
- Perform and oversee low/mid/high fidelity aerodynamic simulations of Archer eVTOL aircraft
- Lead the aerodynamic design and optimization of aircraft OML components to maximize performance and efficiency
- Architect linear, non-linear, and real-time aerodynamic models to predict aircraft behavior, performance, stability, and control
- Analyze flight test and wind tunnel data to identify model discrepancies, validating and improving vehicle aerodynamic models
- Develop efficient methods to integrate flight test data back into aerodynamic simulation models of various fidelities and complexities
- Contribute to the development of Archer aerodynamic software stack, improving methods and workflows
- Partner with flight test pilots and multidisciplinary teams to resolve complex modelling issues and update flight simulators
- Experience in eVTOL and/or multicopter vehicle aerodynamics design and analysis, including 6 DoF vehicle trim and transition corridor optimization
- Experience with wind tunnel campaigns planning, execution, and data processing
- Experience with flight test data processing and SysID data ingestion
- Work experience with rotorcraft comprehensive analysis tools, such as RCAS or CAMRAD2
- Experience utilizing high-performance computing (HPC) to parallelize workflows
- Familiarity with conventional airplane Part 23/25 or rotorcraft Part 27/29 certification basis and test methods
- Familiarity with ASTM standards for fixed wing and rotorcraft
- Familiarity with Matlab/Simulink, and Fortran/C++ coding
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's Take
What believers are saying
- Archer ended Q2 2026 with $1.56 billion cash, funding certification and manufacturing.
- United’s $1.5 billion conditional order and LA28 air taxi role validate customer demand.
- Insitu adds over $200 million annual revenue, giving Archer immediate defense diversification.
What critics are saying
- Midnight still needs Phase 4 certification; delayed FAA testing can push revenue beyond 2026.
- The Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid acquisition requires antitrust clearance, or closing slips into 2027.
- Archer lost $263.2 million in Q2 2026; existentially, cash burn can outrun certification.
What makes Archer unique
- Archer’s Midnight closed FAA Phase 3, first among eVTOLs, in April 2026.
- Boeing’s Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid deal adds autonomy, defense revenue, and airspace software.
- Archer’s Salinas-to-Monterey flight proved short-hop operations, exactly matching city-center route economics.
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Benefits
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -2%1 year growth
↓ -2%2 year growth
↓ -2%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.
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.
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.
Archer Aviation outlined plans to acquire Boeing's Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid divisions during its Q2 earnings call, with Boeing taking a strategic equity stake. The deal is expected to close by year-end. CEO Adam Goldstein said Insitu generates over $200 million in annual revenue. Wisk would add autonomy capabilities, whilst SkyGrid complements Archer's aviation AI platform. Archer's Midnight aircraft remains in the fourth phase of FAA certification, with initial operations planned for later this year. The company has completed more than 150 piloted test flights. Archer's newer Halo and Thunder platform targets first flight in 2027 and customer deliveries by 2029. The company expects its AI products to generate revenue and reach profitability as early as 2027.
Archer Aviation will acquire Boeing's Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid subsidiaries, adding a defence business with over $200 million in annual revenue operating in 35 countries. The stock rose 18% following the announcement. The acquisition brings drone hardware and autonomy software. Insitu has built more than 3,500 uncrewed aircraft systems for intelligence and surveillance, whilst Wisk has conducted over 1,700 flight tests of self-piloting eVTOL aircraft across six generations. SkyGrid contributes air-traffic-management software. Boeing will receive Archer shares representing approximately 19.75% of Class A stock, plus warrants covering roughly $100 million of shares exercisable at $13.00 and $17.88. Boeing retains access to Wisk's autonomous flight technology and gains a board seat. The transaction requires antitrust and national security clearance, with completion expected by year-end 2026.