Vehicle Architect — Conceptual Sizing

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose, California, building the aircraft and technology that will define the next era of flight. The company works across air taxis, UAS, AI and powertrain development - building real world systems that combine software intelligence with physical hardware. That includes Midnight, Archer's all-electric air taxi;
Halo, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft built for both commercial and defense use; and ZEE, Archer's AI foundation model built specifically for aviation. We’re seeking exceptional engineers, operators and builders to join us on our mission to build the future of aerospace and defense. 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 Vehicle Architect, you will own the overall conceptual sizing and configuration of a next-generation aircraft. You'll build and run the optimization models and tools that translate mission and customer inputs into a converged, weight- and performance-closed vehicle. You'll integrate inputs from the structures, powertrain, and aerodynamics architects into a unified sizing and optimization framework, lead configuration trade studies, and work directly with customers and partners to help shape missions around their needs.

Build and maintain the vehicle-level conceptual sizing and optimization models and tools that translate mission and use‑case inputs into vehicle‑level sizing parameters (e.g. MTOW, empty weight, disk/wing loading, installed power). Own and evolve Archer's vehicle‑level conceptual sizing and MDO methodology, integrating models from structures, powertrain, aerodynamics, and other disciplines into a unified optimization framework. Lead configuration trade studies across different use cases and missions, trading performance, weight, cost, and producibility.

Work with product, systems engineering, and customers to help shape missions around customer needs, translating use cases into vehicle‑level design drivers; support requirements definition. Own the vehicle mass properties rollup, sizing convergence loop, and margin management across the concept. Serve as a key technical point of contact with customers and partners; presenting trade studies, sizing rationale, and vehicle performance, and incorporating their feedback into updated mission assumptions.

Support technical volumes, cost estimates, and schedule inputs for proposals and program/customer reviews.

Strong proficiency in Python is required, including building and maintaining production‑quality analysis and optimization tools. Strong proficiency with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) frameworks is required, for example OpenMDAO, Aero Sandbox, SUAVE, GPkit, Dymos, or similar. Demonstrated experience sizing actual aircraft that have flown. Experience integrating multi‑disciplinary inputs (aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, mass properties) into an overall vehicle sizing and optimization model. The ideal candidate would have experience in two or more of the following Experience with rotor and/or propeller aerodynamic and structural sizing.

Experience with hybrid‑electric powertrain sizing and configuration trades. Experience with electric propulsion systems (motors, inverters, batteries). Experience with conventional piston or turboshaft propulsion integration. Experience with payload and sensor integration (e.g., mission equipment, payloads, cargo).…