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 Certification Operations Manager is a strategic and operational partner to the Head of Product Certification — translating priorities into action, administering the certification program's operational backbone, and leading a small team responsible for program metrics, FAA/foreign-agency correspondence, and project records. This is not a technical or certification-authority role; it exists to build the systems and alignment that let technical leaders and teams perform at their highest level.
What you'll do:
- Serve as a strategic and operational extension of the Head of Product Certification, translating priorities into clear ownership, milestones, and measurable outcomes
- Establish and manage operating rhythms — leadership meetings, milestone reviews, action tracking — that keep the organization aligned and accountable
- Maintain visibility into top organizational priorities, risks, and decisions, elevating them at the right time
- Manage a small team (~2 direct reports) responsible for certification program administration
- Own program metrics and dashboards reflecting real-time certification status — certification basis progress, means-of-compliance status, and milestones per project
- Manage the official communication record between Archer and the FAA and applicable foreign certification authorities
- Maintain organized, audit-ready certification project file records and produce regular program-progress reporting
- Identify and remove organizational barriers — process, resource, or communication gaps — that slow execution, taking ownership of cross-functional issues without a clear owner
- Drive alignment between Product Certification and partners across Engineering, Flight Test, Safety, Program Management, and other functions
- Prepare executive-level briefings for the Head of Product Certification and ensure commitments from key meetings are tracked to completion
What you need:
- 10+ years of progressive leadership, operations, or program management experience in complex, fast-moving organizations
- Demonstrated success as a Chief of Staff, senior operations leader, or program/organizational leader driving execution across multiple teams
- Experience managing a team and developing direct reports
- Experience building performance management systems, dashboards, and operating rhythms that drive measurable execution
- Strong track record resolving cross-functional barriers and influencing without direct authority
- Exceptional ability to organize complex work, synthesize information, and operate with sound judgment amid ambiguity
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive-presentation skills
- Willingness to travel between Archer locations as needed
Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience with regulatory correspondence, records administration, or compliance documentation (e.g., FAA, EASA)
- Advanced degree in leadership, organizational development, business administration, or a related field
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 $165,900 - $207,400. 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.
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
- 10+ years of progressive leadership, operations, or program management experience in complex, fast-moving organizations
- Demonstrated success as a Chief of Staff, senior operations leader, or program or organizational leader driving execution across multiple teams
- Experience managing a team and developing direct reports
- Experience building performance management systems, dashboards, and operating rhythms that drive measurable execution
- Strong track record resolving cross-functional barriers and influencing without direct authority
- Exceptional ability to organize complex work, synthesize information, and exercise sound judgment amid ambiguity
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive-presentation skills
- Willingness to travel between Archer locations as needed
- Experience with regulatory correspondence, records administration, or compliance documentation, such as FAA or EASA experience
- Advanced degree in leadership, organizational development, business administration, or a related field
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.
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