Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, an aerospace company in San Jose, is seeking a Manufacturing Lead for its all-electric aircraft project. The role involves overseeing manufacturing processes, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with design teams to ensure high-quality standards and timely execution. Ideal candidates will have significant aerospace manufacturing experience and a Bachelor's degree in engineering.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in aerospace manufacturing (prototype or experimental aircraft preferred).
• Proven ability to lead small teams in a fast-paced, iterative environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all manufacturing activities for early-stage aircraft.
• Build and mentor a lean, agile team of manufacturing engineers.
• Collaborate directly with design and quality teams.

Skills

Proficiency with CAD

Rapid problem-solving strategies

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD (e.g., CATIA, NX)

PLM

MES

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.

What you’ll do:

• Oversee all manufacturing activities for early-stage aircraft, from composite layups and bonding to EWIS harness fabrication, mechanical system integration, and final assembly, ensuring readiness for flight test and certification.
• Build and mentor a lean, agile team of manufacturing engineers, cultivating a hands-on, problem-solving culture aligned with rapid prototype timelines.
• Collaborate directly with design and quality teams to embed Design for Manufacturability (DFM) into early concepts, anticipating and mitigating risks before first article builds.
• Guide the development of tooling, fixtures, and concise manufacturing processes for prototypes, certification articles and early production vehicles
• Operate on the shop floor to diagnose and resolve manufacturing challenges in real time, maintaining tight schedules and high-quality standards.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Test, and Certification teams to secure materials, meet FAA regulations, and integrate seamlessly into flight test campaigns.
• Support functional testing of prototypes to verify integration of flight deck avionics, flight controls, high voltage, low voltage, environmental controls, cabin management, and propulsion systems.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years in aerospace manufacturing (prototype or experimental aircraft preferred), with expertise in composites, EWIS, mechanical assembly, and/or final integration.
• Proven ability to lead small teams in a fast-paced, iterative environment, driving both technical excellence and team cohesion.
• Proficiency with CAD (e.g., CATIA, NX), PLM, MES,
• Rapid problem-solving strategies;
• Strong communication skills, a hands-on approach, and the adaptability to pivot quickly as designs evolve.

Bonus Qualifications:

• NX Experience
• Teamcenter Experience
• MPP Experience
• SAP Experience
• Part 23 Certification Experience
• EVTOL Background.

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 $180,000 - $225,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

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 [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 [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.