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.
What You’ll Do:
Archer is seeking a Software Engineering Program Manager to drive aircraft-level software integration for the Midnight program. Working alongside the Software Integration (SWINT) team, you will own the integration schedule that combines Powertrain Software and Vehicle Management Software deliverables into a single aircraft software release, and keep the two domains sequenced against one another so that neither becomes the other’s surprise. This is a hands-on, execution-focused program management role at the seam between engineering domains: you will spend your time tracking cross-domain dependencies, coordinating integration test logistics, and surfacing interface and timing risks before they reach a release gate. You will partner closely with the Senior EPMs who own each software domain, the Integrated Test Group (ITG), Flight Test, Systems Engineering, and Certification. The role is scoped with a deliberate growth path toward release governance ownership and, ultimately, domain ownership.
- Partner with SWINT to own the aircraft-level software integration schedule, combining Powertrain SW and Vehicle Management SW deliverables into a single Aircraft Integrated Release (AIR)
- Maintain the integrated view across engineering, blue label, and red label milestones; keep domain subschedules aligned to the aircraft software schedule and the program IMS
- Decompose release scope into trackable tasks with named owners and due dates; keep Jira as the source of truth and treat sheets and slides as renderings
- Track scope maturity, rework, and closure velocity to give an evidence-based read on release readiness rather than a status-by-assertion one
- Map and track dependencies and sequencing between Powertrain SW and Vehicle Management SW, including shared interfaces, data flows, and delivery order
- Flag early and explicitly when a slip in one domain threatens the other’s integration readiness, with the downstream impact quantified in schedule terms
- Drive dependency resolution to closure through disciplined follow-up; escalate jointly with both domain EPMs only after peer-level alignment has been attempted
- Keep change impact analysis (CIA) and problem-report scope current as release content shifts, so integration planning does not drift from the actual build
- Support all domain SW EPMs by consolidating domain release status into a single, unified aircraft-level view for program review
- Prepare and present integration status for software CCB, program reviews, readiness checkpoints, and executive forums; own agendas, minutes, and action tracking
- Translate domain-level technical detail into clear, decision-ready status and risk narratives for program leadership
- Maintain release dashboards and supporting pages, driving named owners to keep their sections curren
- Coordinate integration testing logistics across both domains — bench and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) scheduling, Integrated Testing Group (ITG) lab venue scheduling, and test window sequencing
- Track configuration and conformity of test articles and software loads so that test evidence maps unambiguously to the configuration under test
- Align ITG verification campaign scheduling to release timelines; identify contention early when multiple domains need the same venue in the same window
- Track readiness gates and entry/exit criteria for each integration and checkout cycle
- Surface integration risks early — API and interface control document (ICD) mismatches, timing and latency conflicts, and shared resource contention
- Maintain the integration risk register; facilitate risk reviews with technical leads and escalate critical items with recommended mitigations, not just problems
- Identify gaps in integration processes and propose well-informed, actionable next steps
- Support safety-of-flight (SOF) readiness by tracking software deliverables into system and aircraft SOF, staying aware of upstream blockers without owning the system deliverable
What You Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field
- 7+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace, aviation, automotive, or another safety-critical embedded software domain
- Demonstrated experience managing schedules with tight cross-team interdependencies, where one team’s slip cascades into another’s critical path
- Working knowledge of embedded software development and integration practices — build and release cycles, interface control, configuration management, and integration testing
- Experience coordinating test logistics in shared lab environments (HIL, bench, or equivalent), including scheduling contention and configuration tracking
- Proficiency with scheduling tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, or equivalent) and agile tooling (Jira, Confluence)
- Strong written and verbal communication; able to consolidate multi-team status into a clear aircraft-level narrative for executive audiences
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable driving accountability across teams you do not manage
Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience with aircraft or vehicle-level software release management, including staged release maturity models and formal release gates
- Familiarity with DO-178C, DO-331, or ARP4754A, and with safety-of-flight or equivalent airworthiness release processes
- Background at an eVTOL, UAM, or advanced air mobility company, or a Part 23 / Part 25 aircraft OEM
- Exposure to flight controls, propulsion or powertrain control, or vehicle management software domains
- Familiarity with requirements and configuration management platforms (Polarion, DOORS, Teamcenter)
This Role reports directly to the Director of SW Programs.
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $199,000.00 - $248,800.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
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. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems Engineering or related technical field
- 10+ years program or project management experience in aerospace, aviation, or defense with direct exposure to flight control, GNC, avionics, or embedded flight software
- Strong working knowledge of GNC fundamentals (flight control laws, state estimation, navigation filters such as EKF, autopilot architectures)
- Demonstrated experience managing complex hardware/software development programs with tight interdependencies and regulatory constraints
- Proficiency with project scheduling tools (MS Project, Smartsheet) and agile tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Experience supporting or directly managing DO-178C, DO-331, or ARP4754A certification activities
- Exceptional communication skills, including translating technical GNC content into executive-level status and risk narratives
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams
- Master's degree in Aerospace, Controls, or related field
- PMP, PMI-ACP, or CSM certification
- Hands-on experience in GNC algorithm development, HIL/SIL test environments, or flight simulation platforms (Simulink, FlightGear, X-Plane)
- Background at an eVTOL, UAM, or advanced air mobility company, or Part 25/Part 23 aircraft OEM
- Familiarity with MBSE tools (Cameo, Rhapsody) and requirements management platforms (Polarion, DOORS)
- Experience with EVMS and earned value reporting
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
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.
