Staff Manufacturing Design Engineer - Structures

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.

About The Role:

At Archer, we are scaling production of our cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft. As a member of the Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) team, you will help bridge aircraft design and production.

In this role, you will drive the manufacturing strategy for aircraft structures and serve as a technical leader responsible for defining and scaling Archer's aircraft design and production, supporting aircraft builds from prototype through early production ramp. 

You will work cross-functionally with Design, Quality, Supply Chain, and Certification teams to establish best-in-class manufacturing solutions for both current and future aircraft platforms.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide overarching leadership and technical direction for structural assembly and integration processes, including prototype and production assembly sequencing.
• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of structural component builds, collaborating with design, quality, and certification teams to embed manufacturability, compliance, and risk mitigation from concept to flight test readiness.
• Drive tooling strategies and fixture development for prototype builds, balancing the need for high precision with practical solutions suited to low-volume, rapidly evolving programs.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on the shop floor, leading root-cause analysis and implementing timely corrective actions to maintain schedule, quality, and structural integrity.
• Act as a key liaison to adjacent business units (Design, Quality, Testing,) ensuring materials, documentation, and processes align with certification objectives.
• Mentor and guide manufacturing engineers and technicians at all levels, setting best practices, championing innovative problem-solving, and fostering a hands-on culture of ownership and accountability.

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years in aerospace manufacturing, with a focus on assembly and integration; prototype or experimental aircraft experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of driving DFM principles for complex assemblies.
• Expertise in advanced manufacturing tools (CAD, PLM, MES)
• Ability to understand model based definition and interpret GD&T callouts
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills to set direction and mentor a diverse engineering team.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic  environment, balancing big-picture program goals with hands-on, real-time build solutions.

Bonus Qualifications:

• NX Experience
• Teamcenter Experience
• SAP Experience
• Part 23 Certification Experience
• EVTOL Background. 

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 $152,100 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.

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.

Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

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.