Principal M&P Engineer, Metallics

Headquartered in Silicon Valley California Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

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.

We are seeking an experienced Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer to serve as the Metallics Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the airframe of our next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft being certified under FAA airworthiness criteria derived from 14 CFR Part 23 eVTOL aircraft and Part 21.17(b) powered-lift.

In this role you will be the technical authority for metallic materials and processes across primary and secondary airframe structure from alloy selection and specification development through qualification production support and FAA certification.

This is a hands-on role on a fast-moving program. The ideal candidate brings deep metallurgical expertise a strong command of aerospace specifications and certification requirements and the judgment to make sound timely decisions with incomplete information. You will thrive here if you bring a flexible mindset a strong sense of urgency and the ability to create structure and clarity in an ambiguous rapidly evolving environment. We are looking for individuals who are slightly impatient flexible under changing priorities and perform under pressure.

What youll do

• Technical authority: Serve as the M&P Metallics SME; owning metallic material and process decisions for aluminum titanium steel and corrosion-resistant alloys used in structure engine battery components fittings and fasteners.
• Certification: Develop compliance data and substantiation for M&P-related airworthiness requirements and interface with the FAA DERs and internal certification teams to support certification activities. Develop author review internal MPE specs test plans other specs.
• Cross-functional partnership: Work closely with stress design manufacturing quality supply chain and certification teams to make timely trade-offs that keep the program moving.
• Build the function: Help build and mature Archers M&P metallics capability including lab test methods processes tools and mentorship of junior engineers.
• Qualification and allowables: Plan and execute metallic material and process qualification programs including test plans test matrices conformity data review and reports; establish material strength properties and design values using MMPDS and statistically based methods.
• Specifications and design guidance: Author and maintain Archer material and process specifications design guidelines and standards including heat treatment surface treatment plating shot peening welding/joining machining and inspection requirements.
• Material selection: Lead alloy temper and product-form selection (plate sheet extrusion forging casting bar and additively manufactured parts) balancing strength fatigue and damage tolerance corrosion resistance weight cost and manufacturability.
• Corrosion control: Define corrosion prevention and control requirements for metallic structure including galvanic compatibility dissimilar-material isolation (including metal-to-composite interfaces) sealants and finish systems.
• Production and supplier support: Support manufacturing and suppliers through material review board (MRB) dispositions nonconformance resolution first article inspections (FAI) special-process source approvals and supplier audits (including NADCAP-accredited and not accredited processes).
• Failure analysis: Lead failure analysis and root cause investigations using fractography metallography SEM/EDS and hardness and conductivity testing and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.

What youll need

• Bachelors degree in Metallurgical Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Masters or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of aerospace M&P experience focused on metallic materials and processes (6 years with an advanced degree) including direct support of metallic structures.
• Demonstrated track record leading material and process qualification specification development and FAA (or equivalent EASA/military) certification activities.
• Aerospace alloys: In-depth knowledge of aerospace aluminum (2xxx 6xxx 7xxx series and tempers) titanium (e.g. Ti-6Al-4V) precipitation-hardening and corrosion-resistant steels (e.g. 15-5PH 17-4PH A286 440C 314) and low-alloy steels (e.g.M).
• Physical metallurgy: Strong understanding of heat treatment microstructure-property relationships fatigue fracture mechanics damage tolerance stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement.
• Special processes: Working knowledge of heat treatment (e.g. AMS 2770 AMS 2759) anodizing and conversion coating (e.g. MIL-PRF-8625 MIL-DTL-5541) passivation (AMS 2700) plating shot peening (AMS 2430/AMS 2432) and welding/joining (e.g. AWS D17.1).
• Standards and data: Fluency with MMPDS SAE AMS ASTM MIL and NAS specifications as well as galvanic compatibility guidance such as MIL-STD-889.
• Inspection and NDT: Experience with nondestructive testing methods including dye penetrant (ASTM E1417) magnetic particle (ASTM E1444) ultrasonic and eddy current and with defining acceptance criteria.
• Regulatory knowledge: Familiarity with FAA regulations Advisory Circulars and M&P-related airworthiness requirements including material and process control fabrication methods and material strength properties and design values.
• Failure analysis: Hands-on experience with fractography metallography and SEM/EDS for root cause analysis. Define metallic F&DT methodology (slow crack growth safe-life) in coordination with structures team

Preferred qualifications

• Experience on a new aircraft development and type certification program ideally in eVTOL general aviation or rotorcraft.
• Experience with forgings and castings including casting factors and classification (e.g. AMS 2175).
• Experience with metalliccomposite hybrid structures fastener systems and bonded or sealed joints.
• Experience with conducting supplier audits establishing or approving NADCAP-accredited special processes AS9100 quality management system
• FAA DER or Designee experience or experience working directly with Designees and FAA Aircraft Certification Offices.

*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 Companys business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $219000- $273700. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge skills and experience.