Systems Engineer Development Assurance

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.

What You’ll Do:

Join our Development Assurance team, reporting directly to the Manager of Systems Engineering. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in launching our first certified aircraft by architecting the engineering framework that governs how we work. You will define, deploy, and continuously improve the processes and toolchains that enable our teams to develop cutting-edge aircraft systems with the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. As a multi-disciplinary leader, you will bridge the gap between engineering execution and company strategy, ensuring our development lifecycle is fully compliant ARP4754A and other aerospace industry standards.

• Architect Compliant Processes: Lead the definition, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive Systems Engineering framework fully compliant with ARP4754A.  Ensure that our engineering processes and artifacts not only meet the objectives of ARP4754A, DO-178C, and DO-254 but also generate the clear, traceable evidence required for successful audits and certification.
• Establish Artifact Standards: Define and govern the standards, templates, and quality criteria for all key development artifacts
• Drive a Culture of Compliance: You'll be a trusted partner and coach to engineering teams, helping them understand the "why" behind the process and integrating their feedback to create a system that works for everyone.
• Foster Cross-Functional Adoption: Partner directly with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate compliant processes and artifact standards into their daily workflows, providing training and support to ensure practical and consistent application.
• Optimize Tool-Based Enforcement: Collaborate with the Product Lifecycle Engineering and Tools teams to configure our engineering toolchain to enforce process compliance, automate traceability, and manage the lifecycle of all certified artifacts.

What You Need:

• Education: 
• BS, MS, or PhD in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience:
• 5+ yrs of experience in developing one or more aerospace systems
• Technical Expertise:
• Proven background in developing and verifying highly integrated aerospace systems.
• Experience with requirements development, configuration, and architecture definition for aircraft.
• Hands-on experience with civil aviation programs utilizing Systems Engineering processes for certification credit.
• Deep understanding of systems engineering practices and the underlying reasons and purpose behind them
• Significant experience using one or more requirements management tools (e.g., Polarion, DOORS, Jama).
• Full understanding of the Systems Engineering standard used in civil aviation and the underlying reasons and purpose for each process and activity
• Extensive experience defining, implementing, and providing training for engineering processes
• Familiarity with regulations and standards for transport and general aviation aircraft (14 CFR Part 23/27)
• Experience working on Type Certification from concept to completion.

Soft Skills:

• Collaborative mindset
• Great organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication
• Passion for learning and problem solving

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience following systems engineering principles in a non-aerospace industry.
• Proficiency in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Knowledge of safety assessment processes (SAE ARP4761).
• Background in complex hardware/software certification standards (RTCA DO-178 / DO-254).
• Experience customizing or improving requirements management workflows.
• Hands on experience with development of Mechanical Systems or Aircraft Structures
• Experience conducting audits of engineering development processes.
• Experience defining and applying configuration management strategies
• Experience interacting with a certifying authority regarding System Development and Safety certification 
• Experience developing cross program processes and guidance.

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 126,700 - 190,000. 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.