Director, AI-Native Engineering Platform & Tools

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking a leader in AI-native engineering to enhance the velocity and reliability of software development for their all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The role focuses on building cross-domain platforms and integrating AI for efficient software delivery.

With a mandate to build internal tools and infrastructure, the ideal candidate will have over 10 years of software engineering experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for advancing sustainable aviation technologies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering, with significant depth in platform/infrastructure, developer tooling, or AI/ML systems.
• Proven hands-on technical leadership; experience managing engineers and/or managers and scaling teams.
• Strong command of distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD.

Responsibilities

• Make Archer's engineers AI-native: deploy agentic AI and LLM tooling across the SDLC.
• Own the end-to-end engineering platform: build systems, CI/CD, test and verification frameworks.
• Lead the vision, roadmap, and execution for the AI-native engineering platform.

Skills

Platform/Infrastructure Development

AI/ML Systems

Developer Tooling

Distributed Systems

Cloud Infrastructure

Education

10+ years in software engineering

Tools

CI/CD

MLOps

Observability Tools

Job description

San Jose, California, United States

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.

We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences and supports all team members.

About the Role

Archer's software organization is built on a conviction: AI-native engineering will let us ship certified, airworthy software with the velocity of modern technology and the integrity of aviation safety — and out-build anyone in this industry.

This leader owns the engine that makes that true. You will build the cross-domain platform — "by machines, for machines" — that every flight software, GNC, autonomy, and V&V team runs on: AI-assisted development and verification, MLOps and simulation infrastructure, code-to-flight CI/CD, developer tooling and internal paved roads, observability, and the DevOps/SRE and Core OS foundations underneath. Your customers are Archer's engineers; your product is their velocity and quality.

This is a hands‑on leadership role at the intersection of AI, autonomy, infrastructure, and engineering operations. You will partner closely with Flight Software & Algorithms, Autonomy/ML, Systems Engineering, and Product Cybersecurity — and you will be measured by how much faster, and how much more reliably, the entire organization ships.

What You'll Do

AI‑Native Engineering (the core of the role)

• Make Archer's engineers AI-native: deploy agentic AI and LLM tooling across the SDLC — code generation and review, test generation, requirements‑to‑code‑to‑evidence traceability, documentation, and automated verification.
• Build internal AI tools and paved roads that compound developer velocity and become the default way Archer engineers work.
• Build and operate the MLOps and simulation infrastructure for AI/ML and autonomy: data processing, model training, evaluation, validation, and deployment — with reliability, traceability, and performance across the full lifecycle from research to production.
• Create the harnesses that integrate AI and autonomy components into flight‑critical software reliably and verifiably.

Developer Platform, Tools & Operations

• Own the end‑to‑end engineering platform: build systems, CI/CD, test and verification frameworks, deployment pipelines, and the path from code to flight.
• Build developer tooling and observability that measurably improve productivity, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead the DevOps/SRE and Core OS foundations that the rest of the org depends on.

Certification‑Grade Velocity

• Make "fast" and "certifiable" the same path: automate evidence, traceability, and assurance, and stand up DO-330 tool qualification for the platform and tools that touch certified software.
• Integrate the security gates and policies owned by Product Cybersecurity into the platform so the paved road is secure by default — security is a partnership here, not a function this role staffs or owns.

Leadership & Cross‑Functional

• Lead the vision, roadmap, and execution for the AI‑native engineering platform; mentor and grow a high‑performing team spanning AI Platform Tools & Processes, Core OS, and DevOps/SRE.
• Partner with Flight Software, Autonomy/ML, Infrastructure, and Systems Engineering to define requirements and deliver scalable solutions.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly, align technical decisions with aircraft development milestones, debate on merit, and commit fully.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years in software engineering, with significant depth in platform/infrastructure, developer tooling, or AI/ML systems.
• Proven hands‑on technical leadership; experience managing engineers and/or managers and scaling teams.
• Deep expertise building tools, platforms, and infrastructure for software delivery and for AI/ML development and deployment.
• Practical experience applying modern AI to engineering — agentic/LLM tooling, MLOps, or AI‑assisted development.
• Strong command of distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, infrastructure‑as‑code, CI/CD, observability, and developer‑experience tooling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating AI/ML into real‑time, safety‑critical, or regulated systems.
• Exposure to aerospace, robotics, autonomy, automotive, or other safety‑critical domains.
• Experience standing up high‑velocity engineering organizations and internal developer platforms (ref: Team Topologies).
• Familiarity with DO-178C / DO-330 tool qualification or other certification regimes.

What We Look For

• A builder who treats developer velocity and quality as a product, with engineers as the customer.
• Conviction that "by machines, for machines" engineering is the future of aerospace — and the hands to build it.
• Extreme ownership, a high bar, and an open door.
• Passion for advancing the future of aviation and autonomous flight.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Archer is a proud 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 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who require accommodation should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.