Corporate Development Director

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 235,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, is seeking a senior Corporate Development professional to lead M&A efforts from thesis to integration. You will drive target sourcing, market research, financial modeling, and due diligence across Archer's business lines.

This is a high-ownership role with exposure to senior leaders and external advisors. You will also help structure transactions, prepare executive materials, and leverage AI tools to increase deal throughput, while

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, private equity, or strategy consulting.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation skills, and ability to build models from scratch.
• Experience running a structured diligence process with data rooms and coordination.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to distill complex concepts for executives.
• High ownership mentality; able to drive workstreams independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain Archer's M&A target pipeline, including sourcing and screening targets.
• Conduct market research and strategic analysis across aerospace, defense, and aviation software sectors.
• Develop financial models and valuation analyses to support deal structuring.
• Own the transaction due diligence process and manage data rooms and cross-functional workstreams.
• Support transaction execution with outside counsel and advisors; review term sheets and docs.
• Leverage AI tools to automate screening and research synthesis.
• Prepare executive-ready deliverables translating analysis into recommendations.
• Represent Archer at industry events to build relationships with targets and partners.
• Support Corporate Development in integration planning and execution.

Skills

Financial modeling

Diligence management

Executive communication

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, engineering, or related field

Tools

PitchBook

Capital IQ

AlphaSense

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.

About The Role:

You will play a key role in driving Archer's merger and acquisition efforts, from thesis formation and target sourcing through diligence, valuation, transaction execution, and handoff to integration. You will operate across each of Archer's business lines to identify, evaluate, and execute transactions that shape the company's long-term direction. This is a high-ownership, high-impact role with direct exposure to senior leaders.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and maintain Archer's M&A target pipeline, including sourcing and screening targets
• Conduct market research and strategic analysis across the aerospace, defense, and aviation software sectors, including TAM, market mapping, and competitive landscape assessments
• Develop financial models and valuation analyses to support deal structuring and investment decisions
• Own the transaction due diligence process: draft and track diligence request lists, manage virtual data rooms, coordinate cross-functional workstreams, and synthesize findings into implications for deal terms
• Support transaction execution alongside outside counsel and financial advisors, including review of term sheets and definitive transaction documents
• Put AI tools to work as a force multiplier – automating screening, diligence tracking, and research synthesis – to increase the volume of deals the team can evaluate and execute
• Prepare executive-ready deliverables that translate complex analysis into clear recommendations
• Represent Archer at industry events, conferences, and trade shows to build relationships with potential targets, partners, and advisors
• Support the Corporate Development team on integration planning and execution efforts

What You’ll Need:

• 6+ years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, private equity, strategy consulting, or related industries requiring a high level of critical thinking, execution, and delivery, with direct exposure to live M&A or strategic transaction processes
• Strong financial modeling and valuation skills, including three-statement modeling, scenario analysis, and comfort building models from scratch with imperfect information
• Demonstrated ability to run a structured diligence process, including data room management, request list tracking, and cross-functional coordination
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex commercial, technical, and financial concepts into crisp, executive-ready materials
• High ownership mentality and comfort operating in ambiguity, with the judgment to prioritize and drive workstreams forward independently in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, engineering, or a related field

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience or interest in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, or other hardware / deep-tech industries
• Fluency with market intelligence tools such as PitchBook, Capital IQ, or AlphaSense

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 $235,000 - $285,000. 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.