Propeller Test 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.

What You’ll Do:

As Propeller Test Engineer you will be responsible for the development, design, and execution of tests for propellers and electric drive systems. You will be responsible for close coordination with multi-disciplinary teams including Propeller, Electric Engine and Propulsion Unit, Integrated Test, and instrumentation. The Archer propeller team is responsible for full lifecycle development of all testing for development and certification of the propeller subsystem. In this role, you will be responsible for technical execution of the propeller and electric drive systems testing. This role is an individual contributor role.

• Develop and execute test plans for aerospace propulsion systems, with a focus on propellers and electric drive systems, to include static and dynamic fatigue tests as well as environmental and functional testing


• Design test facility, data acquisition systems, and test specimens


• Develop loading and instrumentation requirements for testing


• Collaborate with team members to complete test correlation with analysis and predictions


• Analyze test data to validate the performance of the tested components


• Establish operating limitations for flight test and fielded aircraft based on test results


• Identify and resolve technical issues that may occur during testing


• Document test plan, setup, procedures, and results in technical reports


• Coordinate with internal customers and external suppliers to ensure program schedule and technical requirements are met


• Provide oversight of component qualification efforts performed by suppliers


• Manage testing performed at third party sites to ensure compliance is met to Archer requirements


• Ensure testing is compliant with FAA, DoD, or other aircraft standards


• Ensure scope of tests meets requirements for aircraft certification

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or a related field


• Minimum 5 years experience in testing of primary aircraft structure, including propellers, rotor blades or related components


• Basic understanding of aircraft structure and structural testing


• Familiarity with FAA and/or DoD testing requirements


• Experience with data acquisition software (LabVIEW, Matlab, etc)


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Bonus Qualifications:

• 10+ years experience in testing of primary composite structure, including propellers, rotor blades, or related components


• Basic understanding of aerodynamics, dynamics, and structure of propellers, rotor blades, or related components


• Familiarity with DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 standard test methods


• Experience with CAD and FEA


• Experience with Python

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 $150,000 - $210,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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 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.

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 [email protected] . All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.