Lead Structures Engineer – Special Programs

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose California building the aircraft and technology that will define the next era of flight. The company works across air taxis UAS AI and powertrain development building real-world systems that combine software intelligence with physical hardware. That includes Midnight Archers all-electric air taxi; Halo an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft built for both commercial and defense use; and ZEE Archers AI foundation model built specifically for aviation. Were seeking exceptional engineers operators and builders to join us on our mission to build the future of aerospace and defense.

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.

The Lead Special Programs Engineer Structures Integration brings deep structural engineering expertise as their organic core competency airframe structures loads and structural substantiation for prototype vehicles and systems.

What Youll Do

• Lead structural design and analysis for prototype vehicles and systems including airframe structures loads (V-n diagrams wing loads fuselage loads landing gear) and structural substantiation
• Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end from concept sketches through detailed design analysis and test support
• Own the structural discipline within Special Programs setting technical approach standards and analysis methods used across the programs structural work
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities evaluating whether emerging concepts RFPs or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require
• Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it
• Collaborate with program leads other Special Programs engineers and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints
• Produce technical documentation trade studies and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions
• Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and as needed in discussions with government stakeholders

What Youll Need

• Bachelors degree in Aerospace Mechanical or Structural Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
• Demonstrated experience in aerospace structural design and analysis including airframe structures and loads analysis
• Strong working knowledge of structural analysis tools and methods (finite element analysis hand-calc methods relevant industry standards)
• Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle concept through prototype in a fast-paced resource-constrained environment
• Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts not just executing against defined requirements
• Comfort operating as a generalist when needed willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs
• Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure
• 812 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen national lawful permanent resident asylee or refugee) as defined by ITAR/EAR
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

What Makes This Role Different

This isnt a seat on Archers core structures team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. Youll have significant technical ownership and autonomy working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archers most forward-looking defense 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 Companys strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay range of $138200 - $190100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge skills and experience.