Director, Structures Engineering

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 Airframe organization at Archer is responsible for the structural foundation of our eVTOL aircraft, encompassing the design and integration of all primary and secondary structures. Our team develops highly optimized, lightweight composite and metallic components, managing the complete structural lifecycle from clean-sheet conceptual layout and detailed modeling through rigorous testing, certification, and scalable production. By balancing aerodynamic requirements with structural integrity and practical manufacturability, we ensure the physical airframe meets the highest standards of safety and performance.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and mentor a team of ~20, focusing on recruitment, coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Architect the technical capability roadmap for the structures design group, identifying skill gaps and implementing educational initiatives.
• Champion a culture of innovation, safety, and technical excellence, ensuring alignment with program goals.
• Drive the development of advanced composite design concepts and innovative manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate and implement new materials, technologies, and design methodologies.
• Collaborate with external suppliers and partners to deliver composite solutions.
• Contribute to intellectual property development and patent applications.

What You Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• Master's degree preferred
• 12+ years of experience in composite structures design and analysis
• 3+ years of management or team leadership experience
• Experience with aircraft certification processes (Part 23, Part 27, or Part 25)
• Expert knowledge of composite materials, design principles, and manufacturing processes
• Proficiency with CAD software (NX (Preferred), CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar)
• Advanced experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran (Preferred), Abaqus, or similar)
• Knowledge of composite-specific analysis tools (Fibersim, HyperSizer, or similar)
• Understanding of laminate theory, failure criteria, and damage tolerance
• Experience with autoclave, RTM, prepreg, and other composite manufacturing processes
• Proven track record of leading high-performing engineering teams
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Experience working in fast-paced, dynamic environments
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with eVTOL, rotorcraft, or urban air mobility systems
• Knowledge of electric aircraft systems and integration challenges
• Experience with certification of novel aircraft configurations

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 $207,400 - $259,200. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

*[If required] Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.

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Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

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 People@archer.com . All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.