Blade Structures Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking a senior structural analyst in San Jose to support propeller/rotor blade design for its all-electric VTOL aircraft. You will use FE tools to analyze composite structures, work with cross-functional teams, and contribute to testing and certification activities.

Responsibilities include fatigue life assessment, aeroelastic analyses, and collaboration with customers to ensure on-time data delivery. Travel up to 10% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in design and analysis of composite aircraft structures.
• Proficient in ANSYS, NASTRAN, or other FE software.
• Knowledge of fatigue and damage tolerance of composites.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret CAD models.
• CAD design experience, NX preferred.
• Strong technical, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in a fast-paced design environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with aerodynamics and loads & dynamics teams to design high-performance propeller and rotor blades.
• Perform detailed structural and aeroelastic analyses of composite blades.
• Evaluate component life and dynamic response of blades.
• Provide blade properties to the loads & dynamics team.
• Author stress analysis reports.
• Support ground and flight tests of propellers and rotor blades.
• Support certification testing to validate static load and fatigue life.
• Assist FAA certification efforts and communicate with internal/external customers.

Skills

FE software

Aerospace design

CAD interpretation

Communication

Team leadership

Python/ Matlab

Education

Bachelors in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Masters in aerospace/mechanical engineering (preferred)

Tools

NX

ANSYS

NASTRAN

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.

Who we are:

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 and building an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers for 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph that will revolutionize the aviation industry.

The candidate for this role will support analysis of propeller and rotor blades for Archer’s aircraft designs. This role requires knowledge of design, analysis, and manufacturing for composite structures that are critical aircraft components. The candidate will support through the entire product lifecycle, from initial concepts through manufacturing and production.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the aerodynamics and loads & dynamics teams to design high performance propeller and rotor blades
• Perform detailed structural and aeroelastic analyses of composite prop and rotor blades
• Evaluate component life and dynamic response of dynamic components
• Provide blade properties to the loads & dynamics team
• Author stress analysis reports
• Support ground and flight tests of propellers and rotor blades
• Support development and certification testing to validate static load capability and fatigue life of blade designs
• Support FAA certification
• Collaborate with internal and external customers to ensure on-time delivery of data

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in design and analysis of composite aircraft structures
• Proficient in ANSYS, NASTRAN, or other FE software
• Knowledge of fatigue and damage tolerance of composites
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret CAD models
• CAD design experience (NX preferred)
• Demonstrated organizational skills to bring together small multidisciplinary teams on high impact, but time limited projects.
• Strong technical, written, and verbal communication skills
• Experience in a fast-paced design environment

Preferred:

• Masters in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in design and analysis of propeller or rotor blades
• Background in ground and flight testing of critical composite aerospace structures
• Familiarity with FAA aircraft and/or rotorcraft loads and dynamics regulations (FAR Part 23, 27, 33, 35) and associated advisory materials
• Experience with static and dynamic loads derivation for fixed-wing vehicles and/or VTOL aircraft
• Ability to perform aeroelastic analysis on VTOL dynamic systems
• Proficiency in Python and/or Matlab scripting

This position will require travel up to 10% to Archer facilities or supplier facilities.

At Archer, we reward exceptional performance that supports our business strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base salary range of $163,200.00 - $204,000.00, with final compensation determined by your unique combination of 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.