Archer Aviation Inc.

Program Manager, Flight Sciences

Archer Aviation Inc.$172K — $216K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years in program or technical management roles
  • Experience in flight sciences disciplines like aerodynamics and thermal management
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
  • Proficient in managing complex development programs
  • Expertise in schedule optimization and critical path identification
  • Familiar with scheduling tools like Microsoft Project and Smartsheet
  • Strong communication and organizational skills

Responsibilities

  • Build relationships across Archer's Flight Sciences and engineering teams
  • Serve as primary interface for deliverables and priorities
  • Own execution of assigned Flight Sciences scope
  • Plan and execute analysis and test campaigns with leadership
  • Maintain detailed schedules for simulation and testing activities
  • Lead program reviews and track progress against management plan
  • Drive performance of suppliers in the flight sciences domain
  • Identify and manage program risks and opportunities
  • Prepare executive-level summaries and readiness assessments

Benefits

  • Career development opportunities
  • Dynamic and fast-paced work environment
  • Collaborative cross-functional teamwork
  • Engagement with cutting-edge aerospace technology
  • Emphasis on a pay-for-performance culture
Full Job Description
As a Flight Sciences Program Manager, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing efforts across Archer's Flight Sciences organization, including Aerodynamics, Acoustics, Vehicle Performance and Flight Simulation, and Thermal Management, in close partnership with Engineering, Aircraft Integration, Flight Test, Program Management, and Supply Chain. This is a highly cross-functional role that ensures technical, schedule, and cost alignment for analysis, simulation, and test activities that directly enable vehicle performance, flight readiness, and certification.

This role requires strong technical intuition, disciplined program execution, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous development environment.
What You'll Do
  • Build and maintain strong relationships across Archer teams, including Flight Sciences, Aircraft Integration, Engineering, Flight Test, Program Management, and Supply Chain.
  • Act as the primary interface between Flight Sciences and cross-functional stakeholders on deliverables, priorities, issues, and resolution.
  • Own execution for assigned Flight Sciences scope; aligning to program requirements and major milestones.
  • Partner closely with Flight Sciences leadership and technical leads to plan and execute analysis, simulation, and test campaigns that support vehicle development, integration, and certification.
  • Develop and maintain detailed, task-based schedules supporting simulation development, aero/acoustic analyses, wind tunnel testing, and flight test correlation activities.
  • Lead program kickoffs, execution reviews, and milestone/gate reviews; track and report progress against the program management plan.
  • Drive supplier performance within the flight sciences domain, ensuring all contractual milestones are met through strategic planning and proactive execution.
  • Identify, manage, and drive closure of program Risks, Issues, and Opportunities, with particular focus on performance, correlation, and schedule risk.
  • Prepare and present executive-level summaries, performance metrics, and readiness assessments to senior leadership.
What You Need
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, technical program management, or engineering roles.
  • Experience in flight sciences disciplines, including aerodynamics, flight simulation, thermal management and/or acoustics, and how they support aircraft design, integration, and flight test.
  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent degree.
  • Experience successfully managing and driving complex, technically driven development programs and distilling large volumes of information into clear, executive-level communication.
  • Proven experience managing cross-functional dependencies and technically complex schedules.
  • Expertise in identifying schedule drivers and critical paths to optimize simulation and test workflows. .
  • Experience with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar scheduling tools.
  • Experience with Jira and Confluence for task tracking and collaborative documentation.
  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and re-prioritize deliverables in a fast-paced, evolving technical environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience in aerospace vehicle development, advanced air mobility, or test programs.
  • Familiarity with flight test planning, simulation validation, and model-to-flight correlation.
  • Experience supporting certification programs and performance compliance efforts.

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 - $216,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About Archer Aviation Inc.

Archer Aviation is an American aerospace manufacturer that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The company was founded in 2018 by Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein. Archer Aviation is developing an eVTOL aircraft that can travel up to 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph. The aircraft is designed to be quiet, safe, and efficient, with zero emissions. The company has partnerships with United Airlines and Stellantis, and plans to launch its first aircraft in 2024.
Learn more about Archer Aviation Inc.
Market Cap
$403.1 million
Industry
NASDAQ

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