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.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Composite Materials Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead the development, qualification, and FAA certification of composite airframe materials and processes for our next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, certified under 14 CFR Part 23. This role is critical to ensure the safety, performance, and manufacturability of composite and metallic structures across the air vehicle. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in composite and metallic materials, aerospace fabrication processes used in general aviation, and material, process, and supplier qualification. Additionally, the candidate is required to have a strong understanding of FAA certification requirements for airframes in 14 CFR Part 23 and/or 14 CFR Part 27.
What you’ll do
- Serve as the technical focal and authority on the development of the airframe, including SME support in composite materials and processes for thermoset and thermoplastic systems, prepregs, resin infusion, and out-of-autoclave techniques.
- Lead the development and qualification of composite materials and structural processes, including material allowables, process specifications, and design guidelines.
- Author and maintain material and process specifications, including test plans, qualification procedures, and documentation for FAA certification.
- Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and certification teams to ensure composite structures meet strength, stiffness, fatigue, and damage tolerance requirements.
- Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective actions related to composite structures.
- Interface with FAA, DERs, and other regulatory bodies to support certification and conformity efforts.
What you’ll need
- Master’s degree in Materials, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in aerospace composite materials and structures, with a strong track record of leadership in material qualification and certification.
- Proven expertise in composite behavior, including fatigue, damage tolerance, environmental effects, and repairability.
- Extensive experience with material qualification, specification creation, and process development for composite airframes.
- Familiarity with FAA regulations, Advisory Circulars, ASTM standards, and MIL specifications.
- Strong communication and project management skills.
- Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods is required.
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 $182,000- $228,000. 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 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.
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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.
