Hardware Integration Engineer

Socket.dev; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose, CA is seeking an experienced hardware engineer to own the physical build and bring-up of subscale aircraft platforms, including wiring harnesses and onboard electronics. You will work with perception, navigation, and test teams to ensure electronics meet system requirements, document configurations, and troubleshoot EMI and power management in a hands-on lab environment.

Required is a Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Robotics, plus hands-on experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in electrical, mechanical, or robotics engineering.
• Hands-on hardware integration on small aircraft or robotic platforms.
• Experience with sensor/compute interfaces such as MIPI, USB, Ethernet, CAN.
• Wiring harness design, connectorization and cable routing.
• Knowledge of EMI mitigation and embedded power management.
• Hands-on lab/hangar work with hardware bring-up and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Own the physical build and bring-up of subscale aircraft platforms and hardware.
• Design and fabricate wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution.
• Validate hardware end-to-end on bench and platform with test teams.
• Troubleshoot EMI, power, and signal integrity across interfaces.
• Collaborate with perception, navigation, and test engineers to meet system requirements.
• Maintain build documentation, wiring diagrams, and configuration records.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Robotics

Tools

PX4/ArduPilot

NVIDIA Jetson

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.

Note: This role must be based onsite in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What you'll do:

• Own the physical build and bring-up of subscale aircraft platforms — mounting and wiring flight controllers, companion computers, radios, and sensor payloads
• Design and fabricate wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution for onboard electronics
• Validate integrated hardware end-to-end on the bench and on the platform, coordinating with test and program teams
• Troubleshoot EMI, power, and signal-integrityissues across sensor and compute interfaces
• Collaborate with perception, navigation, and test engineers to ensure hardware meets system requirements
• Maintain build documentation, wiring diagrams, and configuration records for fielded systems

What you need:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Hands-on experience integrating hardware on small aircraft or robotic platforms
• Experience with sensor and compute interfaces such as MIPI, USB, Ethernet, and CAN
• Experience with wiring harness design, connectorization, and cable routing
• Working knowledge of EMI mitigation and power management for embedded systems
• Comfortable working hands-on in a lab/hangar environment with hardware bring-up and debug

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with flight controllers (PX4, ArduPilot, or similar)
• Familiarity with companion computers (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson) and radio/telemetry integration
• Background in small aircraft, robotics, or aerospace hardware integration
• Experience supporting test or field operations

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. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $140,000 - $260,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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.