Airframe IPT Lead

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 224,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is an aerospace company in San Jose seeking an Integrated Product Team Lead for the Airframe team. You will oversee airframe hardware development from concept through production, ensuring compliance with design, performance, and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in airframe design, a strong first-principles approach, and proven leadership of technical projects. Proficiency in CAD/FEA and experience with Part 23/25/27 certification is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in airframe design and development.
• Solid first-principles approach to the design and implementation of efficient load paths.
• Proven track record of leading technical projects and teams.
• Experience with aircraft certification processes (Part 23, Part 25, or Part 27).
• Strong understanding of composite airframe structures, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with CAD and FEA software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of airframe hardware development, ensuring developed hardware meets design and performance requirements and regulatory standards.
• Develop airframe hardware components from concept through production within the assigned scope, defining technical approach and design parameters.
• Collaborate with avionics, propulsion, and other teams to ensure seamless integration and alignment across the program.
• Work with Systems Engineering to allocate requirements and ensure traceability from system to hardware.
• Break down high-level objectives into actionable tasks, estimate effort, and develop detailed work plans to support project planning and execution.

Skills

First-principles design

Leadership experience

Regulatory compliance

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng

Master's degree in related field

Tools

CAD software

FEA software

Job description

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 and highly motivated Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead for our Airframe team. The IPT Lead is essential for the development and delivery of airframe hardware components, providing technical leadership, fostering collaboration, and managing project execution. This role will oversee all aspects of airframe hardware development from concept through production, ensuring compliance with design, performance requirements, and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hardware Development and Requirement Compliance: Oversee all aspects of airframe hardware development, ensuring developed hardware meets specified design and performance requirements, aligns with program objectives, and adheres to regulatory standards.
• Scope Management and Technical Execution: Develop airframe hardware components from concept through to production within the assigned scope, defining the technical approach, establishing design parameters, managing the development process, and resolving any technical challenges.
• Inter-Team Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate and coordinate with other program teams (e.g., avionics, propulsion, ) to ensure seamless integration and alignment across the program through regular meetings, status updates, and information sharing.
• Requirements Allocation and Systems Engineering Integration: Work closely with the Systems Engineering team to ensure appropriate requirements are allocated to the hardware components being developed. This includes participating in requirements reviews, clarifying technical specifications, and ensuring traceability between system-level requirements and hardware design.
• Task Breakdown and Project Management Support: Support the Project Manager (PM) by breaking down high-level technical work objectives into actionable tasks, identifying specific activities, estimating effort and duration, assigning resources, and developing detailed work plans to facilitate effective project planning, execution, monitoring, and control.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in airframe design and development.
• Solid first-principles approach to the design and implementation of efficient load paths
• Proven track record of leading technical projects and teams.
• Experience with aircraft certification processes (Part 23, Part 25, or Part 27).
• Strong understanding of composite airframe structures, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with CAD and FEA software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience with eVTOL, rotorcraft, or urban air mobility systems.
• Knowledge of electric aircraft systems and integration challenges.
• Experience with certification of novel aircraft configurations.

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 $224,000 - $280,000. 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 [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

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.