Y Combinator Aircraft Architecture & Integration Engineer
Summary
At Archer, an eVTOL aircraft maker, this engineer owns aircraft-level structural layout and subsystem integration: zonal management of the digital mock-up, interface requirements, configuration management, and trade studies, collaborating across engineering and manufacturing. Core tools include CAD (NX), GD&T, tolerance analysis, and BOM/change control.
Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
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 and Engineering
- Lead the development and optimizing the complete layout of the aircraft structures and sub-system integration
- Own zonal management of the digital mock-up for large sections of the aircraft, including controlling space allocation for subsystems, establishing mounting strategies with the aircraft structures, managing routing envelopes and ensuring all subsystems are accessible and maintainable.
- Manage interface requirements models (IRMs) and master geometry models for large aircraft zones
- Maintain aircraft systems configuration management, tracking various pedigrees and versions of hardware
- Assist in defining assembly processes and techniques and standardizing across the department
- Collaborate with manufacturing team to ensure seamless aircraft integration processes
- Analysis and Project Management
- Conduct trade studies to optimize system integration, mass efficiency, and flight performance
- Support test planning and validation activities for major assemblies
- Analyze test data and implement design improvements based on findings
- Collaboration
- Work cross-functionally with all engineering disciplines to lead-multidisciplinary trade studies on aircraft-level architecture decision
- Participate in design reviews and provide technical expertise for critical integration decisions
- Collaborate with sourcing and quality teams to support supplier selection, component qualification, and inspection requirements for integration components
- Drive improvements to existing processes and develop new procedures as needed
What You Need:
- Education & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering, or related field
- 5+ year experience with full-vehicle level systems integration and interface management in aerospace or automotive
- Experience generating Bills of Materials (BOM) and managing change control processes
- Technical Expertise
- Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX preferred), 2D drawings, tolerance analysis, and GD&T. Strong preference for candidates deeply familiar with managing large assembly models (100-1000+ components) and in-context modeling.
- Understanding of mass budgeting, configuration management, and systems integration
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes for aerospace structural components including machining, joining methods, and composite manufacturing
- Communication and Organization
- Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional technical initiatives across multiple subsystem teams
- Excellent documentation and communication skills for maintaining complex interface requirements
- Capacity to manage multiple integration challenges and priorities simultaneously
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for resolving interface conflicts
- Additional Requirements
- Availability for domestic travel as needed
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality in engineering practices
Bonus Qualifications:
- Aerospace development and certification experience
- Deep understanding of prototype development lifecycle and the unique requirements for experimental flight test vehicles
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and design practices for system separation (e.g., flight-critical vs. non-critical systems).
- Demonstrated hand-on experience in a prototype environment through prior work or personal projects
- Self-motivated with exceptional attention to detail and systems-thinking approach
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 supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $172,800 - $237,600. 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 people@archer.com. 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.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
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 People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
Skills
As published by greenhouse · 9 questions · 2 written answers
Basics
First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location
Short answers (2)
- LinkedIn Profile optional
- Website optional
Pick from a list (5)
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Will you now, or at any point during your employment, require Archer to sponsor or petition for a nonimmigrant work visa status on your behalf? (Please note: If you hold a temporary or nonimmigrant status or work authorization, including but not limited to F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, H-4, J-1, L-1, or EAD, please respond with "Yes" so that Archer can determine whether future sponsorship actions may be needed.)
- Consistent with company policy, employees are expected to report to work onsite at our offices. Are you open to relocating to our corporate headquarters in San Jose, CA?
- Were you referred to Archer by a current employee?
- By selecting YES, I consent to receive recruiting SMS messages from Archer Aviation at the phone number provided on above. optional
Written answers (2)
- What are your base ($USD) expectations?
- If you were referred, please provide the name of the employee.