Director of Technology - Governance, Risk, and Compliance

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.

Director of Technology- Governance, Risk, and Compliance (Hybrid role)

Job Overview

We are seeking a Director of Technology - Governance, Risk, and Compliance to design and develop Archer's Cybersecurity GRC program. You are a strategic, hands-on leader and an excellent communicator who can see the big picture. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer, you will oversee the design and implementation of our enterprise governance, risk, and compliance strategy while rigorously following NIST SP 800-171, CMMC Level 2, SOX, ITAR, and other industry-specific regulations. This role demands executive-level leadership of a GRC function, extensive knowledge of compliance frameworks and control design, and the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical programs. You will work with security, legal, finance, and operations teams to build a scalable, auditable compliance foundation that allows Archer to pursue federal contracts, uphold public company standards, and grow with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Cyber-focused Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) strategy aligned with Archer's business objectives and regulatory obligations, including NIST SP 800-171, CMMC Level 2, SOX 404, and ITAR/EAR requirements.
• Lead the design and implementation of System Security Plans (SSPs) and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) to achieve and maintain NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 compliance across enterprise infrastructure and systems.
• Establish and manage an enterprise-wide risk management program that identifies, assesses, prioritizes, and tracks cybersecurity, operational, and compliance risks, communicating risk exposure clearly to the board and executive leadership.
• Design and enforce a control framework (based on NIST SP 800-171, CMMC practices, SOX ITGC, and ISO 27001) that defines roles, responsibilities, and audit expectations across the organization.
• Conduct or coordinate regular compliance assessments and internal audits to ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks, identifying gaps and designing remediation strategies with clear timelines and accountability.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, assessors, and regulators, including Security Control Assessors (SCAs) for CMMC certification and SOX auditors, to ensure timely evidence collection and audit readiness.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive compliance documentation, including policies, procedures, risk registers, control matrices, and audit evidence repositories.
• Lead the design of third-party and vendor risk management processes, including technical security assessments, contractual compliance requirements, and ongoing monitoring of vendor compliance posture.
• Drive compliance training and awareness programs across the organization, ensuring all employees understand their roles in maintaining security and compliance standards.
• Stay current with emerging regulatory changes, evolving industry standards, and evolving threat landscapes relevant to aerospace, defense, and public companies.
• Provide executive-level reporting to the Board, Audit Committee, and C-suite, translating technical compliance metrics into business risk language and strategic recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• 8 plus years of experience in Technical Governance, Risk, and Compliance, Risk Management, Audit, or Information Security, with a minimum of 3 years in a director or senior manager role leading a GRC function or compliance program.
• Expert-level understanding of NIST CSF, SP 800-171, and CMMC Level 2 frameworks, including the ability to develop SSPs, conduct gap assessments, and design control architecture.
• Hands-on experience managing NIST CSF, 800-171 compliance programs or leading CMMC Level 2 assessments and certification initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of SOX Section 404 requirements, particularly IT General Controls (ITGC), and ability to design controls that satisfy auditor expectations.
• Deep understanding of ITAR and EAR export control regulations as they apply to IT systems and data classification.
• Proficiency in risk management methodologies, including risk identification, quantification, prioritization, and remediation tracking using qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Experience designing and operating control frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF, SOC 2 Type II) and translating framework requirements into operational controls and audit evidence.
• Strong communication skills to present complex compliance and risk concepts to technical teams, executive leadership, boards of directors, and external auditors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor teams, manage budgets, and drive cross-functional initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Aerospace, Defense, or Federal Contractor industries, including familiarity with CMMC enforcement, DoD contract requirements, and federal compliance culture.
• Hands-on experience conducting or participating in CMMC Level 2 assessments or FedRAMP authorizations.
• Experience as a Security Control Assessor (SCA) or CMMC Professional (CISSP with CMMC focus).
• Background in public company SOX compliance, including experience with Audit Committee interactions and SEC reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of GRC platforms and tools (Archer GRC, Audit Board, ServiceNow) for evidence management, risk tracking, and audit automation.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM), or Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP).
• Advanced degree in Cybersecurity, Business Administration, Law, or Engineering.
• Experience with third-party risk management and vendor security assessment frameworks.
• Direct experience building compliance automation and audit evidence collection processes to scale compliance operations.

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 $219,000.00 - $290,00.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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 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.