Materials & Processes Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 205,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, an aerospace company in San Jose, California, is looking for a Composite Materials Subject Matter Expert to lead the development of materials for our electric aircraft. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience and a Master's degree, with deep expertise in materials qualification, FAA certification processes, and project management skills.

This role is critical for ensuring safety and performance. The compensation is targeted between $205,000 and $260,000.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in aerospace composite materials and structures.
• Proven leadership in material qualification and certification.
• Familiarity with FAA regulations and ASTM standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and qualification of composite materials and structural processes.
• Collaborate with teams to meet strength and tolerance requirements.
• Support failure analysis related to composite structures.

Skills

Expertise in composite behavior

Strong communication skills

Project management skills

Experience with non-destructive testing (NDT)

Education

Master's degree in Materials, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering or related field

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.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Composite Materials Subject Matter Expert (SME) to lead the development, qualification, and FAA certification of composite airframe materials and processes for our next-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, certified under 14 CFR Part 23. This role is critical to ensure the safety, performance, and manufacturability of composite and metallic structures across the air vehicle. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in composite and metallic materials, aerospace fabrication processes used in general aviation, and material, process, and supplier qualification. Additionally, the candidate is required to have a strong understanding of FAA certification requirements for airframes in 14 CFR Part 23 and/or 14 CFR Part 27.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the technical focal and authority on the development of the airframe, including SME support in composite materials and processes for thermoset and thermoplastic systems, prepregs, resin infusion, and out-of-autoclave techniques.
• Lead the development and qualification of composite materials and structural processes, including material allowables, process specifications, and design guidelines.
• Author and maintain material and process specifications, including test plans, qualification procedures, and documentation for FAA certification.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and certification teams to ensure composite structures meet strength, stiffness, fatigue, and damage tolerance requirements.
• Support failure analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective actions related to composite structures.
• Interface with FAA, DERs, and other regulatory bodies to support certification and conformity efforts.

What You Need

• Master’s degree in Materials, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in aerospace composite materials and structures, with a strong track record of leadership in material qualification and certification.
• Proven expertise in composite behavior, including fatigue, damage tolerance, environmental effects, and repairability.
• Extensive experience with material qualification, specification creation, and process development for composite airframes.
• Familiarity with FAA regulations, Advisory Circulars, ASTM standards, and MIL specifications.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Experience with non‑destructive testing (NDT) methods is required.

Compensation

For this position we are targeting a base pay between $205,000 - $260,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

EEO & Accommodation Statement

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.

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 use any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes.

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.

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