Conceptual Aircraft Structures Architect (eVTOL)

Archer Technologies International, Incorporated; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Aviation in San Jose, CA seeks a Structures Architect to develop the conceptual airframe architecture for a next-generation eVTOL. You will size and lay out major structural components in close collaboration with the vehicle, powertrain, and aero teams.

Responsibilities include material trade studies, evaluating layouts, and generating weight estimates while ensuring compliance with design and certification considerations. Base pay is disclosed, reflecting knowledge and experience.

Qualifications

• Aerospace structural design background at conceptual/preliminary level.
• Experience with aeroelastic analysis (flutter/whirl) and modal analysis.
• Proficiency in structural sizing methods and Python tooling.
• Familiarity with cross-sectional analysis tools and parametric geometry.
• Experience with aerospace CAD tools and parametric geometry workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual airframe architecture for fuselage, wing, tail, and nacelle structures.
• Size major components using classical methods and cross-sectional tools.
• Assess aeroelastic behavior with beam-based codes or equivalents.
• Define sizes based on loads, 20, and performance margins; collaborate with vehicle and powertrain teams.
• Evaluate alternative layouts for weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Lead material selection trades (composite vs. metal vs. hybrid).
• Generate weight estimates and track margins through concept phase.

Skills

Aeroelastic analysis

Structural sizing

Python programming

Parametric geometry

Education

Aerospace engineering degree

Tools

sectionproperties Python library

OpenAeroStruct

pyNastran

SUAVE

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

OpenVSP

CadQuery

Job description

Archer Aviation in San Jose, CA seeks a Structures Architect to develop the conceptual airframe architecture for a next-generation eVTOL. You will size and lay out major structural components in close collaboration with the vehicle, powertrain, and aero teams.

Responsibilities include material trade studies, evaluating layouts, and generating weight estimates while ensuring compliance with design and certification considerations. Base pay is disclosed, reflecting knowledge and experience.