Design Engineer - Avionics Integration

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.

As a Design Engineer - Avionics Integration, you will work on aircraft-level avionics systems integration within the Advanced Projects group. We are a small but diverse group of multi-disciplinary engineers responsible for the rapid development of future Archer aircraft concepts, taking them from idea to experimental flight testing on aggressive accelerated timelines. In this role, you will play a critical role in integrating and optimizing the avionics systems packaging throughout Archer’s future hybrid-electric aircraft platform.

What You’ll Do:

• Design and Engineering
• Develop and maintain CAD and drawings to document interfaces between avionics subsystems and airframe interfaces
• Own and maintain avionics envelope CAD models and keep out zones to enable comprehensive vehicle package studies
• Maintain avionics configuration management, tracking various pedigrees and versions of hardware
• Assist in defining assembly processes and techniques and standardizing across the department
• Collaborate with manufacturing team to ensure seamless aircraft integration processes
• Analysis and Project Management 
• Maintain comprehensive mass budget tracking for all avionics subsystems, identifying risks and weight optimization opportunities
• Conduct trade studies to optimize system integration, mass efficiency, and performance
• Support test planning and validation activities for thrust unit assemblies
• Analyze test data and implement design improvements based on findings
• Collaboration
• Work cross-functionally with sourcing and quality teams to support supplier selection, component qualification, and inspection requirements for integration components
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical expertise for critical integration decisions
• Drive improvements to existing processes and develop new procedures as needed

What You Need:

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor's Degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering, or related field
• 2-15 years with system-level integration and interface management 
• Experience generating Bills of Materials (BOM) and managing change control processes
• Technical Expertise
• Proficiency in CAD modeling (NX preferred), 2D drawings, tolerance analysis, and GD&T
• Understanding of mass budgeting, configuration management, and systems integration
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes for aerospace structural components including machining, joining methods, and composite manufacturing
• Communication and Organization
• Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional technical initiatives across multiple subsystem teams
• Excellent documentation and communication skills for maintaining complex interface requirements
• Capacity to manage multiple integration challenges and priorities simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for resolving interface conflicts
• Additional Requirements
• Availability for domestic travel as needed
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality in engineering practices

Bonus Qualifications:

• Aerospace development and certification experience
• Deep understanding of prototype development lifecycle and the unique requirements for experimental flight test vehicles
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and design practices for system separation (e.g., flight-critical vs. non-critical systems).
• Demonstrated hand-on experience in a prototype environment through prior work or personal projects
• Self-motivated with exceptional attention to detail and systems-thinking approach

At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $124,000 - $198,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.