The Role
Lead system architecture for autonomous flight systems, integrating software for guidance and navigation, ensuring safety compliance, and driving simulation infrastructure development.
Summary Generated by Built In
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.
What You'll Do
- Architect Autonomy Frameworks: Lead the system architecture and feature development for autonomous flight systems, with a specific focus on multi-agent coordination, task allocation, and resource scheduling in real-time environments.
- GNC Software Integration: Design, implement, and integrate C++ product software for guidance, navigation, and control modules. Ensure portability and scalability across diverse aerial platforms, overseeing the transition from algorithmic design to embedded deployment.
- State Estimation & Localization: Serve as the subject matter expert for state estimation and localization, developing software packages that fuse data from passive sensing, GPS, and IMU to ensure robust navigation in day, night, and off-road environments.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with Systems Engineering and Flight Test teams to drive performance analysis. Lead the definition of verifiable software requirements, ensuring GNC considerations are integrated into vehicle navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms.
- Safety & Compliance: Direct the development of safety-critical autonomy software, coordinating safety compliance with agencies like the FAA or NASA, and managing rigorous validation processes for flight control and autonomous path following.
- Simulation Infrastructure: Champion the development of simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test infrastructure. Drive performance analysis of compute loads and communications to improve the rigor of delivered features before flight.
- Mentorship & Methodology: Lead engineering teams in Agile environments, providing oversight on trajectory generation and control implementation while mentoring engineers in best practices for autonomy and robotics.
What You Need
- Extensive Experience: 9+ years of professional experience in aerospace autonomy, robotics systems, or GNC software development.
- Educational Background: BS in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering; an MS or related specialized experience in autonomous systems is preferred.
- Technical Mastery: Expert proficiency in C++ for real-time embedded software and experience with robotics frameworks (such as ROS). Familiarity with integrating software onto autopilots like Pixhawk.
- Autonomy Expertise: Proven track record in robotic teaming, trajectory generation, and mission planning for Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) or planetary exploration vehicles.
- Estimation Depth: Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques, including vision-based navigation and sensor fusion for operational environments
- Soft Skills: Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to lead complex development initiatives and specialized engineering team
Bonus Qualifications
- Space & Aviation Heritage: Experience supporting high-profile missions (e.g., NASA) or coordinating with federal aviation bodies.
- Hardware Integration: Experience managing hardware integration for sensing payloads, manipulation methods, or seismometer/tether models.
- Advanced Perception: Expertise in using passive sensing for navigation and environmental perception.
- Test & Validation: Experience conducting Verification & Validation (V&V) for robotics payloads or flight systems.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon 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 Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to [email protected]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
Skills Required
- 9+ years of professional experience in aerospace autonomy or GNC software development
- BS in Aerospace, Electrical, or Computer Engineering
- Expert proficiency in C++ for real-time embedded software
- Experience with robotics frameworks like ROS
- Advanced knowledge of state estimation techniques
Archer Aviation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Archer Aviation and has not been reviewed or approved by Archer Aviation.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision, alongside HSA/FSA options and an Employee Assistance Program, forming a comprehensive base. Wellness activities and company-sponsored outings are additionally referenced.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes generous PTO, paid sick days, and paid holidays, with unlimited PTO noted for exempt employees. This breadth provides above-average flexibility for a hardware-focused environment.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership opportunities include company equity, performance bonuses, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a purchase discount. Equity is used to keep packages competitive in high-demand roles, creating meaningful upside potential.
Archer Aviation Insights
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The Company
What We Do
Archer is an aerospace company building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft focused on improving mobility in cities. The company's mission is to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. Archer is designing, manufacturing, and operating a fully electric aircraft that can carry four passengers for 60 miles at speeds of up to 150mph while producing minimal noise. Archer's team is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
