Lead Mechanical Design & Deployment – Aerospace Prototyping

AlleyCorp; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 138,200 - 190,100; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose is seeking a Lead Special Programs Engineer – Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Deployment to guide the mechanical design, actuation, and packaging for prototype systems. You will own the discipline and drive a design-for-manufacturability approach to field-ready hardware.

This role requires experience across the full development lifecycle in fast-paced environments, independence, and the ability to evaluate feasibility of new opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree a plus).
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical design and analysis for aerospace or defense hardware, including mechanisms and packaging/integration.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, design-for-manufacturability, and build/production planning.
• Familiarity with launch, release, or handling mechanism design and deployment/fielding logistics is a plus.
• Experience across full development lifecycle in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to evaluate feasibility of early-stage concepts beyond defined requirements.
• Ability to operate as a generalist when needed and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and analysis for prototype systems, including mechanisms, actuation, launch/release hardware, and packaging/integration.
• Lead manufacturing and build planning for prototype hardware, including design-for-manufacturability and production readiness.
• Support deployment and fielding of prototype systems, including logistics, handling, and field-support considerations.
• Support rapid prototyping end-to-end from concept sketches through detailed design, fabrication, and test.
• Own the mechanical design, manufacturing, and deployment discipline within Special Programs and set standards across the program.

Skills

Mechanical design

Finite element analysis

Manufacturing planning

Deployment logistics

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Archer in San Jose is seeking a Lead Special Programs Engineer – Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Deployment to guide the mechanical design, actuation, and packaging for prototype systems. You will own the discipline and drive a design-for-manufacturability approach to field-ready hardware.

This role requires experience across the full development lifecycle in fast-paced environments, independence, and the ability to evaluate feasibility of new opportunities.