Autonomy Engineer

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all‑electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to advance sustainable air mobility. We design, manufacture, and operate an all‑electric aircraft capable of carrying four passengers while minimizing noise.

We believe that diversity drives better insights and lifts us all to success. Archer is dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences and supports all team members.

• Architect autonomy frameworks: lead system architecture and feature development for autonomous flight systems, focusing on multi‑agent coordination, task allocation, and real‑time scheduling.
• GNC software integration: design, implement, and integrate C++ product software for guidance, navigation, and control modules, ensuring portability and scalability across aerial platforms.
• State estimation & localization: be the subject‑matter expert, developing software that fuses data from passive sensing, GPS, and IMU for robust navigation in diverse environments.
• Cross‑functional leadership: partner with Systems Engineering and Flight Test teams to drive performance analysis and define verifiable software requirements.
• Safety & compliance: develop safety‑critical autonomy software, coordinate compliance with agencies like FAA or NASA, and manage rigorous validation for flight control.
• Simulation infrastructure: champion development of simulation and hardware‑in‑the‑loop test infrastructure, analyzing compute loads and communications to improve feature rigor before flight.
• Mentorship & methodology: lead engineering teams in Agile environments, mentor on autonomy and robotics best practices.

• Extensive experience: 9+ years in aerospace autonomy, robotics systems, or GNC software development.
• Educational background: B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering; M.S. or related specialized experience in autonomous systems preferred.
• Technical mastery: expert proficiency in C++ for real‑time embedded software, experience with ROS, and familiarity with integrating onto autopilots like Pixhawk.
• Autonomy expertise: proven record in robotic teaming, trajectory generation, and mission planning for UAS or planetary vehicles.
• Estimation depth: advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques, including vision‑based navigation and sensor fusion.
• Soft skills:
  
  strong organizational ability to lead complex development initiatives and manage specialized engineering teams.

• Space & aviation heritage: experience supporting NASA missions or coordinating with federal aviation bodies.
• Hardware integration: experience managing integration of sensing payloads or manipulation systems.
• Advanced perception: expertise in passive sensing for navigation and environmental perception.
• Test & validation: experience conducting V&V for robotics payloads or flight systems.

For this position we are targeting a base pay between $170,000 – $215,000. Compensation will be determined by knowledge, skills, and experience.

All aspects of employment are decided based on merit and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of 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 providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with physical or mental disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants requiring accommodation should contact our People Team at

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.