Staff Equipment Design Engineer
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.
About The Team
At Archer’s Production Realization Lab, we build the electromechanical infrastructure that makes flight possible. From megawatt-scale dynamometers, complex electrical test stands to bespoke mechanical test equipment from concept to reality.
We are seeking a Staff Equipment Design Engineer to focus on the end-to-end design of specialized hardware for testing aircraft structural integrity and propulsion components. This isn't a "follow the manual" role. You’ll be designing mechanical test equipment from a blank sheet of paper to functional hardware, partnering closely with controls and electrical teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
What You’ll Do:
- End-to-End Ownership: Lead the development of aircraft subsystem test equipment from initial concept to customer acceptance
- Systems Integration & Collaboration: Partner cross-functionally with Electrical and Controls Engineering to define equipment architecture and design
- Technical Rigor & Analysis: Execute high-level engineering analyses, including DFMEA and worst-case tolerance stacks, to ensure robust mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic designs that meet safety and reliability standards
- Project Leadership & Strategy: Manage project scope, budgets, and aggressive timelines, serving as the primary technical point of contact for stakeholders while translating high-level functional requirements into actionable technical specifications
- Design Governance: Spearhead formal design reviews to ensure equipment exceeds performance expectations, and oversee the creation of comprehensive documentation packages, including training manuals and installation guides
- Technical Oversight & Commissioning: Provide expert mechanical support during equipment build and bring-up cycles, directing assembly technicians and troubleshooting complex hardware issues through to final site acceptance testing (SAT)
What You Need:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering (Master’s preferred) or equivalent
- Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in specialized test equipment or complex machine design
- Technical: Expert-level proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX) and GD&T, with a proven track record of managing large, complex assemblies and generating high-fidelity manufacturing documentation
- Advanced Engineering Analysis: Demonstrated ability to apply first-principles engineering, including FEA, CFD, and statistical tolerance analysis, to solve sophisticated machine design and structural challenges
- Full Lifecycle Commissioning: Extensive experience leading the bring-up, debugging, and continuous improvement of automated equipment, including the integration of data acquisition (DAQ) systems and sensors
- Strategic Communication: Exceptional ability to distill complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for executive presentations, cross-functional design reviews, and comprehensive technical reports
- Operational Agility: A self-starting mindset capable of maintaining rigorous organization and project momentum within a fast-paced, highly dynamic aerospace development environment
- Travel: Flexibility to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally to support vendor site visits, equipment installations, and final acceptance testing
Bonus Qualifications:
- Specialized Domain Expertise: Direct experience in the development of electric powertrain or component-level test equipment
- Advanced PLM Ecosystems: Deep proficiency in NX CAD within a Teamcenter environment
- Full-Scale Project Execution: Proven success managing the complete lifecycle of custom automation or test cells, from initial white-sheet concepting through to final site acceptance and factory integration
- Hands-on Technical Depth: Practical "wrench-heavy" experience in the physical assembly of complex mechanical and electrical systems, allowing for more intuitive and manufacturable design decisions (DFM/DFA)
- Modern Tool-stack: Advanced proficiency in collaborative project management and documentation tools such as Jira, Slack, and Google Workspace to drive team efficiency
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $172,800 - $216,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.
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.