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.
We are looking for an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of backend systems for Archer’s aviation products. This role is central to building the cloud infrastructure and service architecture that powers our modern aviation platform.
You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, data, operations, and aerospace to deliver secure, performant, and reliable backend services.
What You’ll DoDesign, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems and APIs to support Archer’s ride-sharing and airline operational platforms.
Build cloud-native applications and services using Python and AWS technologies.
Lead architectural design and system integrations, ensuring systems are modular, efficient, and secure.
Develop infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or AWS CDK to provision and manage backend environments.
Collaborate with stakeholders to define technical requirements and translate them into robust implementations.
Own the full development lifecycle—from design and development to deployment, monitoring, and maintenance.
Conduct code reviews, enforce engineering best practices, and mentor fellow engineers.
Monitor system performance and reliability, and respond to production issues with effective debugging and root cause analysis.
What You Need
Small but mighty, 0 to 1 builder mentality.
BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
7+ years of backend software engineering experience, with a proven track record of delivering scalable backend systems.
Expert-level proficiency in Python for backend application development.
Strong experience with AWS, including services such as Lambda, API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, ECS/Fargate, etc.
Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or AWS CDK.
Deep understanding of RESTful API design, microservices architecture, and distributed systems.
Experience with performance tuning, system monitoring, and observability tools.
Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Bonus Qualifications
Experience with data modeling and working with SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g., Postgres, DynamoDB).
Background in high-availability, real-time systems or event-driven architectures.
Prior experience in aerospace, transportation, or ride share industries.
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and container orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
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 $172,800.00 - $210,000.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
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 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
- 7+ years of backend software engineering experience
- Expert-level proficiency in Python
- Strong experience with AWS services
- Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code tools
- Deep understanding of RESTful API design and microservices architecture
- Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills
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.
