Lead Structures Engineer – Special Programs

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

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.

The Lead Special Programs Engineer – Structures Integration brings deep structural engineering expertise as their organic core competency — airframe structures, loads, and structural substantiation for prototype vehicles and systems.

What You’ll DoLead structural design and analysis for prototype vehicles and systems, including airframe structures, loads (V-n diagrams, wing loads, fuselage loads, landing gear), and structural substantiation

Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept sketches through detailed design, analysis, and test support

Own the structural discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and analysis methods used across the program’s structural work Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require

Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints

Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions

Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders

What You’ll Need Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Structural Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
Demonstrated experience in aerospace structural design and analysis, including airframe structures and loads analysis

Strong working knowledge of structural analysis tools and methods (finite element analysis, hand-calc methods, relevant industry standards)
Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment

Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements

Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs

Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EARAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

What Makes This Role Different This isn’t a seat on Archer’s core structures team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it — from early opportunity evaluation to…