Lead Mission Systems Engineer, Special Programs (Prototype)

AlleyCorp; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to advance sustainable air mobility. The Lead Special Programs Engineer will define and integrate mission systems for prototype vehicles, leading cross-functional efforts from concept through flight test.

The role requires deep mission-systems expertise, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the ability to own technical decisions in a fast-paced, defense-oriented program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering (advanced degree a plus).
• Demonstrated experience defining and integrating mission systems, payloads, or sensor packages for aerospace or defense platforms.
• Familiarity with mission-system requirements management and payload-to-airframe integration.
• Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.
• Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing defined requirements.
• Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside core focus area.
• Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure.
• 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments).
• Must be a U.S. Person with respect to ITAR/EAR requirements, and able to obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• ITAR/EAR compliance awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission systems design, requirements definition, and integration for prototype vehicles, including payload and sensor integration, mission equipment packaging, and operator/mission-system interfaces.
• Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept mission architecture through integration, ground test, and flight test support.
• Own the mission systems discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and integration methods used across the program’s mission systems work.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements for viability and approach.
• Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside core focus area when needed.
• Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer teams to align technical approaches with timelines and constraints.
• Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting design maturity reviews and capture decisions.
• Represent Special Programs work in internal reviews and with government stakeholders when required.

Skills

Aerospace/EE degree

Mission systems design

Requirements management

Full development lifecycle

Feasibility assessment

Generalist mindset

Independent ownership

8–12 years experience

U.S. Person with clearance eligibility

ITAR/EAR awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Systems/Electrical

Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to advance sustainable air mobility. The Lead Special Programs Engineer will define and integrate mission systems for prototype vehicles, leading cross-functional efforts from concept through flight test.

The role requires deep mission-systems expertise, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the ability to own technical decisions in a fast-paced, defense-oriented program.