Flight Test Engineer

Archer; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company is seeking a Flight Test Engineer to prepare and execute test plans for their innovative all-electric aircraft. This role demands expertise in flight testing, collaboration with engineering teams, and strong communication skills. A diverse set of responsibilities includes preparing test reports, conducting safety reviews, and mentoring junior staff, fostering an equitable work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in developmental flight testing.
• Able to obtain FAA Class 3 medical certificate.
• Experience with FAA certifications and requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Development, Company, and FAA certification test plans.
• Interface with engineers and maintainers to execute test objectives.
• Mentor junior engineers in flight test processes.

Skills

Telemetry room operations

Flight test instrumentation

Data analysis

Excellent communication

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Matlab

Excel

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:

• Prepare Development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans
• Identify, collaborate and assess test risk for all levels of test activities (THAs)
• Using said data products to support TRR/FRR activities
• Prepare Flight Test Cards and assemble flight decks for approval and use
• Run flight decks in sims with flight crew for optimization
• Interface with engineers, maintainers, technicians, and program management to accomplish test objectives safely and efficiently
• Author Company/Certification Reports
• Prepare and present material in support of test readiness reviews
• Provide support for test events as a flight test engineer and/or test conductor
• Onboard aircraft and in the control room
• Prepare and lead flight briefs and debriefs for test events
• Lead and participate in test setup (flight line) activities
• Report and communicate test results
• Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process
• Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with the appropriate engineering disciplines
• Participate in safety review board (SRB) meetings
• Mentor Jr. engineers in Flight Test processes

What you need:

• 5+ years of experience in developmental flight test
• Bachelors, masters, and/or doctorate degree in Aerospace or Mechanical engineering from an ABET accredited institution
• Experience with telemetry room operations and CRM processes
• Flight test aircraft configuration management and conformity experience
• Experience with flight test instrumentation
• A collaborative attitude and a meticulous attention to detail
• Diverse experience in both performance and systems testing
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with FAA airworthiness certifications and requirements
• Experience with IADS Real time Telemetry and/or post test data analysis software
• Experience leading test events in a telemetry room environment
• Proficient with data analysis tools, such as Matlab / Excel
• Able to obtain and maintain a FAA Class 3 medical certificate issued thru a FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
• Experience with proper aeronautical radio communication and protocol

Bonus Qualifications:

• Fixed and rotorwing flight test experience
• Electric aircraft design and integration experience
• Experience in Part 23 and/or Part 27 certification flight test
• FAA DER - Flight Analyst
• Experience with rapid manufacturing or prototyping
• FAA pilot certificate

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 $151,680- $200,600. 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 [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 [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.