Midnight Certification Instructor Pilot

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.

We are seeking an experienced and talented Midnight Instructor Pilot- The ideal candidate will conduct training and evaluation of pilots in flight training devices, full flight simulators and aircraft. Additionally, they will be responsible to ensure standardization and proper execution of SOPs. This particular role will be a required role in the FAA certification of Midnight. 

What you’ll do:

• Support production and validation of aircraft systems, policies, and procedures in the Midnight Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM)
• Conduct safe, professional, and effective flight training for company pilots, customers, and other stakeholders for the Midnight eVTOL aircraft to include Archer Air OEM Test pilots, factory Instructors, FAA Flight Standards Board pilots, FAA ASIs, and FSDO ASI’s
• Acts as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) assisting in the development and delivery of comprehensive training programs, including classroom instruction, simulator training, and in-aircraft instruction by providing technical expertise on eVTOL aircraft systems, performance, and flight characteristics to trainees and other team members
• Collaborates closely with OEM engineering and instructional design teams to develop and refine course materials, lesson plans, and instructional guides to ensure comprehensive training coverage
• Work with regulatory bodies and internal compliance teams to ensure training programs meet or exceed FAA and other applicable international standards
• Must be knowledgeable in applicable FAA regulations/publications, Company policies/procedures, and aircraft systems
• Continuously monitors and evaluates pilot performance, compliance, & competencies through assessment techniques, feedback sessions, and detailed performance reports to provide data-driven feedback to trainees, identify trends, and support continuous improvement in training practices.
• Ensures standardization through proper training and training resource utilization, identifies training gaps and suggests improvements to enhance Archer’s training programs and materials
• Excellent and effective communications skills with the ability to collaborate with multiple Archer Aviation and Archer Air training stakeholders
• Communicates and verifies compliance of Company philosophies, policies, and procedures to line pilots
• Must be able to travel 25% of the time 
• Maintain flight proficiency & Instructor/Evaluator (I/E) proficiency
• Be an optimistic, innovative, and results-driven problem solver
• Provide out-front servant leadership and mentor-ship to junior pilots to ensure their success and professional development
• Acts as a safety ambassador, promoting Archer’s safety culture in all training and flight activities
• Help to support Archer Air’s mission by providing high-quality, structured, and dynamic flight instruction to create a safe and proficient pilot community
• Eager to contribute to the development of innovative, modern teaching and training programs
• This position is focused on Midnight’s certification with the FAA, follow on roles to be discussed once certification is completed

What you need:

• FAA commercial (airplane or helicopter) with instrument rating
• FAA CFI
• Current class I or II medical certificate
• 2000 total hours with 750+ hours of instruction experience 

Bonus qualifications:

• FAA ATP certificate
• FAA CFII
• Military powered-lift pilot or instructor pilot
• Experience in flight test programs or familiarity with flight test protocols
• Part 135 or 121 start-up experience
• Previous FAA DPE, APD, LCP, or TCE experience
• Familiarity with instructional systems design (ISD) principles or adult learning methodologies to help create more effective training modules
• Proficiency in using flight training software, simulators, or learning management systems (LMS)

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 $151,680.00 - $189,600.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. 

By applying, you agree to be bound by our candidate privacy policy.

This role is designated as a safety-sensitive position. This designation means that your position carries significant responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of yourself, your peers, others in the workplace and our current or future passengers. 

As an employee in a safety-sensitive role, you are expected to adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines outlined by ArcherAir. Additionally, it is imperative that you refrain from engaging in any activities, including but not limited to substance abuse, that may impair your ability to perform your duties safely and effectively. 

As a condition of your engagement, you will be required to clear an FAA DOT Pre-Employment Drug test and pass any subsequent tests administered through your required participation in Archer’s randomized pool. The drug test must be completed prior to training and will be coordinated at Archer Air’s direction. This offer is also contingent upon successful completion of any role-specific required training prior to performing safety sensitive activities.

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 people@archer.com. 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 People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.