Airframe Design Lead, Fuselage

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.

• Lead the development of major structural airframe assemblies from preliminary design through certification, and manufacturing ramp up
• Apply in depth understanding of load paths, design best practices, and hand calcs to design robust structural configurations
• Apply design for manufacturing concepts to create designs that are cost effective and easy to fabricate ferred experience with composite sandwich construction and adhesive paste bonding
• Develop company standards for composite and metallic part CAD models and drawings
• Work closely with and mentor other engineers on the design, stress and M&P teams
• Provide technical guidance on design concepts (risk vs. cost vs. performance)
• Support manufacturing to validate and verify that designs meet requirements and specifications

• 10+ years of experience with lightweight structures (aircraft, spacecraft, other high performance vehicles)
• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field
• Ability to design and analyze simple components
• A deep understanding of load paths and laminate design fundamentals
• Strong CAD skills in NX (preferred), Solidworks, Catia or Creo
• Large bonded structures
• Hand‑laid prepreg carbon fiber
• Machined metal
• Experience with the manufacturing of composite parts
• Knowledge of FAA aircraft certification requirements for Part 23 aircraft
• Familiarity with PDM systems
• Self‑starter, team player, and desire to work in a fast‑paced environment

• Experience with analyzing and dispositioning product non‑conformances
• Experience with the design of small passenger aircraft or helicopters
• Broad experience across a range of airframe structures (fuselage, wing, pylons, empennage)
• Experience with composite laminate definition in Fiber Sim

For this position we are offering $172,800 - $216,000 per year.

Archer is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.

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.

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