Head of Manufacturing Test & Automation

Archer; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Aviation seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead two dedicated teams in Test Operations and Test Development. You will own end‑to‑end testing across avionics and HV/LV systems, driving DFT collaboration and scalable test strategies from prototype through full-rate production.

You will shape test infrastructure, automate data collection, and champion efficient shop-floor execution while mentoring engineers and maintaining high safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 8+ years testing complex electromechanical hardware.
• 3+ years directly managing engineering teams with resource planning.
• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing/test docs and standards.
• Background in designing qualifying test equipment, fixtures, and GSE with CAPEX justification.
• Hands-on test automation experience (Python, LabVIEW, TestStand) and aircraft protocols.

Responsibilities

• Build and scale two dedicated teams across Test Operations & Execution and Test Development & Design.
• Own end-to-end functional test lifecycle for avionics and high/low voltage systems.
• Collaborate early with Design for Testability and co-validate system test plans.
• Define and execute the test roadmap from low-rate to full-rate production.
• Lead test stands, fixtures, GSE, and automated test equipment qualification.
• Drive automation and data analytics to reduce cycle times and boost throughput.
• Hire, mentor, and develop test engineers and technicians; promote safety and rigor.

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Test planning

Manufacturing engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

TestStand

CAN

Ethernet

ARINC 429

Reading schematics

Job description

Archer Aviation seeks a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead two dedicated teams in Test Operations and Test Development. You will own end‑to‑end testing across avionics and HV/LV systems, driving DFT collaboration and scalable test strategies from prototype through full-rate production.

You will shape test infrastructure, automate data collection, and champion efficient shop-floor execution while mentoring engineers and maintaining high safety and quality standards.