Staff Structural 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.

As a Staff Structural Test Engineer at Archer, you will be responsible for leading structural tests on flight-critical and other test articles. This position will require leading small teams consisting of junior engineers, technicians, and other engineering disciplines. You will be driving the test program to deliver results. These test programs will focus on various levels from material and joint allowables development, design and methods validation, flight test article verification, and full-scale destructive testing. This position will focus on validating the structural performance of a primarily composite aircraft.

Responsibilities:

- Create and review drawings, define project plans, procure parts, materials, and equipment

- Manage suppliers to design test fixtures and execute test programs

- Create instrumentation definition, calibrate instrumentation, and install instrumentation

- Lead small test teams to drive programs to completion

- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, including design, loads, M&P, and structural analysis teams, to define tests that validate design details

- Develop and review company and FAA test plans and test reports for static and fatigue testing

- Collect and analyze data from testing

- Design test stands, fixtures, DAQs

- Define testing procedures, SOPs, and best practices

- Proficient using Instron, MTS, or other testing systems

- Enforce safety and test protocol in the structural test lab

Preferred Skills and Experiences:

- Experience with NX and/or FEMAP/Nastran software

- Experience with electronics, circuitry, and soldering

- The ability to lead small, multi-disciplinary teams

- Strong fundamentals in structural and mechanical analysis

- Experience with Data Acquisition Software (LabVIEW, MTS, Load Star)

- Prior hands-on experience with aircraft design, analysis, and structural testing

- Ability to lift 50#

- Ability to travel up to 25%

- Knowledge of FAA aircraft certification test requirements for Part 23 aircraft

Minimum Qualifications:

- 10+ years of hands-on experience in aerospace design, structural analysis or testing, with a minimum of 3+ years of structural test experience.

- A proven track record in airframe assembly and composite structure builds; EVTOL or experimental aircraft work is a strong plus.

- Proficiency in CAD (e.g., CATIA, NX) and FEM (e.g. FEMAP).

- Hands-on experience with structural testing

- Excellent communication skills, the ability to thrive in a rapid-iteration environment, and a bias toward action when solving complex, hands-on problems.

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 - $190,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as 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 [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.