Alpha GNC Integration and Test Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, an aerospace company in San Jose, seeks an experienced engineer to design and implement flight control algorithms for its all-electric VTOL aircraft. You will build simulations, verify requirements, and run trade studies to guide design and system architecture.

You will collaborate closely with Flight Test and Systems Engineering to ensure robust control systems and safe vehicle evaluations. A strong background in vehicle dynamics and modern control theory is essential.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, optimization, and both classical and modern control theory.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement flight control algorithms for VTOL aircraft.
• Develop simulations to verify system requirements and validate models.
• Coordinate with Flight Test to design safe evaluation tests.
• Run trade studies to inform aircraft design and system architecture.
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to decompose high-level requirements.
• Identify and correct deficiencies in the Flight Control System.

Skills

Vehicle dynamics

Optimization

Control theory

MATLAB/Simulink

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

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.

What you’ll do:

• Design and implement flight control algorithms for novel VTOL aircraft


• Implement creative solutions to efficiently verify complex systems and software


• Build simulations to verify and validate system requirements


• Run trade studies to inform aircraft design and system architecture


• Work with the Flight Test team to design tests that safely evaluate the vehicle capabilities


• Improve the fidelity and capabilities of our vehicle and environment simulation models


• Analyze full-scale and subscale flight data to improve our models


• Author software requirements and test cases that drive the design of the GNC software


• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to properly decompose higher level requirements


• Collaborate with Systems Safety and Systems Engineering to identify and correct any deficiencies in the Flight Control System.

What you need:

• Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, optimization, and both classical and modern control theory


• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field with at least 6 years of relevant experience ORMS with at least 4 years of relevant experience ORPhD with at least 2 years of relevant experience


• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink

Bonus Qualifications:

• Familiarity with aircraft or rotorcraft performance and handling qualities requirements


• Experience verifying GNC systems in simulation and on hardware


• Experience with envelope protection


• Experience with modeling physics, sensors, and actuators


• Experience applying system identification techniques to aircraft or rotorcraft


• Knowledge of fault detection and isolation techniques


• Experience implementing trajectory generation and/or optimization algorithms


• Experience flight testing piloted and/or autonomous aircraft or rotorcraft


• Piloting experience (aircraft or rotorcraft)

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. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $140,000 - $180,000. 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.

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 [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.