Archer Aviation Inc.

Staff Systems Engineer, Electric Propulsion

Archer Aviation Inc. • $160K — $220K *
San Jose, CA 95123In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Electrical, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering; MS preferred.
  • 8+ years of systems engineering experience on aviation-certified programs with ARP4754A compliance workstream ownership.
  • Proven track record in managing large requirements baselines with tools like Polarion, DOORS, or Jama.
  • Experience in leading cross-functional engineering problem resolution and participating in FHA/PSSA/SSA reviews.
  • In-depth knowledge of DO-178C and/or DO-254 standards for compliance and verification.
  • Familiarity with vehicle or aircraft communication protocols to define interface requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Own ARP4754A-compliant requirements across system, subsystem, and component levels, ensuring traceability.
  • Author requirements for propulsion hardware and embedded software, and validate correctness during reviews.
  • Lead engineering problem review forums to classify and resolve system-level issues.
  • Manage flight test anomalies and ensure flight operations readiness through issue resolution.
  • Conduct technical assessments to assert propulsion system readiness at program milestones.
  • Support FAA airworthiness and certification processes with technical documentation and compliance evidence.
  • Coordinate with aircraft systems stakeholders on control interface definitions and behavioral specifications.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge eVTOL technology.
  • Engagement in cross-functional teams enhancing collaboration skills.
  • Direct involvement in certification and compliance processes, vital for career growth.
  • Dynamic work environment focused on innovation and performance.
  • A pay-for-performance culture that rewards individual contributions.
Full Job Description
What You'll Do:
  • Own ARP4754A-compliant requirements at system, subsystem, and component levels: authoring, baselining, and maintaining traceability across all program configurations, spanning electrical, mechanical, and software elements.
  • Author implementable requirements for propulsion hardware and embedded software - including fault detection logic, control state machine behavior, and communication interface definitions - and validate derived requirements for correctness; participate in FHA/PSSA/SSA reviews.
  • Lead cross-functional engineering problem review forums. Triage system-level issues for classification, safety impact, ownership, and resolution priority; own PR documentation and drive issues to formal closure across hardware, software, and systems teams.
  • Triage and disposition flight test anomalies; own the flight-critical open-issue portfolio and drive closure of all items blocking flight operations authorizations and flight readiness reviews.
  • Own the technical assessment asserting propulsion system readiness at each program milestone. Compile requirements status, open issues, verification results, and risk dispositions into a structured flight readiness position.
  • Support airworthiness and certification with propulsion technical understanding for FAA certification documentation, means of compliance definitions, and verification traceability from requirement through closure evidence.
  • Own the propulsion SE interface to aircraft systems stakeholders. Coordinate motor controller behavioral specifications, fault response logic, and control interface definitions; represent the propulsion team in aircraft-level integration change boards.
  • Coordinate with hardware, firmware, and controls teams on design reviews, FMEA reviews, and powertrain syncs; define and flow down qualification requirements to subsystem teams and suppliers.
  • Review and approve test plans for propulsion qualification events, ensuring alignment with the requirements baseline and certification scope; track verification closure from bench through flight test.
  • Participate in integrated system-level test events combining hardware, software, and vehicle control systems; ensure propulsion interface requirements are correctly reflected in integration test configurations.

What You Need:
  • BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering; MS preferred.
  • 8+ years of systems engineering on aviation-certified or certification-bound programs with direct, hands-on ownership of an ARP4754A or equivalent certification compliance workstream.
  • Demonstrated experience authoring and owning a large requirements baseline in Polarion, DOORS, Jama, or equivalent, including configuration control, traceability, and change management at scale.
  • Experience leading cross-functional engineering problem resolution forums and direct participation in FHA, PSSA, and SSA reviews as a system requirements owner.
  • Deep working knowledge of DO-178C and/or DO-254 sufficient to audit verification artifacts, participate in DAL-driven decomposition reviews, and evaluate independence requirements.
  • Familiarity with vehicle or aircraft communication protocols sufficient to define message-level interface requirements; ability to manage a large open-issue portfolio under certification schedule pressure.

Bonus Qualifications:
  • eVTOL, Part 23, or Part 33 type certification experience from a program that reached flight test or compliance closure milestones.
  • Systems-level familiarity with electric propulsion including power electronics, motor control, and mechanical drivetrain and sufficient to author and evaluate requirements across the full stack.
  • HIL/SIL experience for integrated motor controller or powertrain software verification; DER coordination; working knowledge of ARP4761 and experience defining FAA means of compliance.
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 $160,000 - $220,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as 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
Aerospace & Defense
NASDAQ
ACHR
* Ladders Estimates

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