Lead Platform Design & Integration Engineer for Prototyping

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

Job summary

Archer, based in San Jose, CA, seeks a Lead Special Programs Engineer – Platform Design & Integration to own how prototype vehicles come together, from configuration layout through cross-discipline integration. You will lead vehicle-level integration for prototype aircraft and guide technical approaches across disciplines.

You will collaborate with program leads and Archer engineers, produce documentation and trade studies, and help align work with timelines and constraints in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree a plus).
• Experience in vehicle-level configuration design and cross-discipline integration for aerospace platforms.
• Familiarity with interface control, configuration management, and whole-vehicle trade studies.
• 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 against defined requirements.
• Willingness to contribute outside core area and work independently with technical ownership.
• 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience in rapid-prototyping/advanced-programs environments.
• Must be a U.S. Person and able to obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle-level integration and configuration design for prototype vehicles.
• Support rapid prototyping end-to-end from concept configuration through detailed integration, build support, and test.
• Own the integration and design discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and integration methods used across the program’s vehicle-level work.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require.
• Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it.
• Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints.
• Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions.
• Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders.

Skills

Vehicle-level design

Cross-discipline integration

Interface control

Configuration management

Whole-vehicle trade studies

Lifecycle development

Independent ownership

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Archer, based in San Jose, CA, seeks a Lead Special Programs Engineer – Platform Design & Integration to own how prototype vehicles come together, from configuration layout through cross-discipline integration. You will lead vehicle-level integration for prototype aircraft and guide technical approaches across disciplines.

You will collaborate with program leads and Archer engineers, produce documentation and trade studies, and help align work with timelines and constraints in a fast-paced