Manager, Equipment Build

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is an aerospace company in San Jose, California building all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft focused on sustainable air mobility. The Production Realization Lab leads electromechanical test equipment and fixtures from concept to reality.

The role leads a high‑mix, low-volume prototype shop producing structural components, weldments, and sheet metal assemblies, mentoring fabricators and welders, and owning production planning to meet aggressive schedules while maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent).
• 8+ years in fabrication, manufacturing, or mechanical assembly in aerospace/defense/advanced manufacturing.
• Proven leadership of technicians, welders, or fabricators in high-mix, quick-turn environments.
• Hands-on fabrication expertise in sheet metal and welding (MIG/TIG).
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T callouts.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of a high-mix prototype shop for structural components.
• Build, mentor, and scale a team of fabricators and welders with hands-on guidance.
• Own job prioritization, capacity planning, and throughput for schedules across multiple requests.
• Develop and maintain shop documentation, instructions, travelers, and inspection checklists.
• Drive quality and first-article acceptance per GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Ensure safety compliance and non-negotiable safety culture.
• Lead hands-on assembly, integration, and commissioning of custom test equipment.
• Provide early-stage DFM feedback during design reviews to improve producibility.
• Coordinate with engineering for milestone planning and cross-functional tasks.
• Maintain audit-ready build records for AS9100 compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

GD&T knowledge

Reading engineering drawings

Fabrication expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CNC press brake

Laser cutting

Waterjet cutting

MIG/TIG welding

ProNest

Sigmanest

SAP ERP

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.

About The Team

At Archer’s Production Realization Lab, we build the electromechanical infrastructure that makes flight possible—bringing everything from megawatt-scale dynamometers and complex electrical test stands to bespoke mechanical test equipment from concept to reality.

What You’ll Do:

Prototype Fabrication Shop

• Lead Shop Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations of a high-mix, low-rate prototype shop producing structural components, weldments, and complex sheet metal assemblies for rapid development aircraft programs.
• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of fabricators and welders, providing hands‑on technical guidance and performance coaching.
• Production Planning: Own job prioritization, capacity planning, and throughput to meet aggressive program schedules across multiple concurrent engineering requests.
• Standardize Workflows: Develop and maintain critical shop documentation, including work instructions, setup sheets, traveler documents, and inspection checklists.
• Quality & GD&T: Drive quality and first-article acceptance of fabricated parts through in-process inspection and strict adherence to engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
• Culture of Safety: Ensure total shop safety compliance, leading a culture where safety and regulatory standards are completely non-negotiable.

Test Equipment Build

• Manage Build Assembly: Lead a team of technicians executing the hands‑on assembly, integration, and commissioning of custom mechanical test equipment (e.g., dynamometers, propulsion stands, structural rigs).
• Electromechanical Integration: Oversee the integration of complex mechanical assemblies, plumbing, wiring harnesses, sensors, and instrumentation into commission-ready test fixtures.
• Project Tracking: Monitor build status, material readiness, and open actions, communicating proactively with engineering and program teams to support realistic milestone planning.
• Cross-Functional DFM: Serve as the primary manufacturing voice in design reviews, providing early-stage DFM feedback on geometry, materials, and weld joints to improve producibility and reduce lead times.
• Collaborative Troubleshooting: Partner with propulsion, structures, and systems engineering teams to troubleshoot assembly issues and ensure built equipment meets functional and certification requirements.
• Compliance & Documentation: Advise on make-versus-buy decisions based on shop capability, and maintain accurate, audit‑ready build records in support of AS9100 compliance.

What You Need:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience: 8+ years in a fabrication, manufacturing, or mechanical assembly environment within aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.
• Leadership: Proven track record of managing technicians, welders, or fabricators through complex mechanical builds in high-mix, quick‑turn environments.
• Fabrication Expertise: Strong hands‑on background in sheet metal fabrication (CNC press brake, laser/waterjet cutting) and structural welding (MIG/TIG).
• Technical Literacy: Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T callouts, and mechanical/electrical assembly documentation.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to track parallel workstreams, manage material readiness, and proactively eliminate schedule risks.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Familiarity with plumbing, wiring harness installation, and sensor integration on test fixtures.
• Background working within AS9100 or FAA-regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience programming CNC press brakes (Trumpf, AMADA, Bystronic) or using nesting software (ProNest, Sigmanest).
• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP/MRP systems for material and work order tracking.
• Experience supporting eVTOL, UAV, or advanced air mobility programs.

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $172,800-$216,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre‑employment and random drug screening.

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.

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.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.