Motor Modeling/Control Intern

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer invites motivated interns to join the motor control and simulation team at Archer HQ in San Jose, CA. This 10-week summer program focuses on designing, validating, and optimizing core propulsion components for all-electric aircraft.

You will simulate, test, and analyze power electronics, motor drives, and high-density motors. The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, data analysis, and collaboration, with training in MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, and FEA tools, preparing you for aerospace

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's (3rd or 4th year), Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong fundamentals in Power Electronics, electric machine theory and control systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS for motor control modeling.
• Exposure to FEA tools such as ANSYS Maxwell or FEMM for electromagnetic simulation.
• Hands-on lab experience with oscilloscopes and power electronics test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine motor control algorithms to optimize performance, efficiency, and thermal behavior.
• Create and analyze models of high-voltage DC/DC converters and motor inverters for varied flight conditions.
• Assist in electromagnetic and thermal analysis of electric motors using FEA tools.
• Contribute to motor design trade studies evaluating topology, materials, and winding configurations.
• Support assembly, bring-up, and testing of prototype motor drive and power electronics hardware.

Skills

Power Electronics

Electric Machine Theory

Control Systems

Python

Education

Electrical Engineering (Bachelors/Masters/PhD)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PLECS

ANSYS Maxwell

FEMM

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.

This internship is a part of a 10-week full-time summer internship program opportunity. This role will be based at Archer's headquarters in San Jose, California and relocation or housing will not be provided.

Archer is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join our motor control and simulation team. This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to gain practical experience in the design, control, and validation of the core components of our aircraft's electric powertrain. You will play a crucial role in the development cycle, contributing directly to the high-performance motor system and power converters that make electric flight possible and pushing the boundaries of aerospace technology.
The ideal intern candidates should have a clear strength in at least one of the following areas: power electronics, motor control, or motor design. Above all, they must be curious, analytical, and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and refine motor control algorithms in MATLAB/Simulink or PLECS to optimize the performance, efficiency, and thermal characteristics of our high-power-density motors.
• Create and analyze simulation models of high-voltage DC/DC converters and motor inverters to predict their behavior, stability, and efficiency under various flight conditions.
• Assist in the electromagnetic and thermal analysis of electric motors using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, contributing to the analysis of torque ripple, cogging torque, and loss mechanisms.
• Contribute to motor design trade studies, evaluating the impact of different topologies, materials, and winding configurations on performance metrics like power density and efficiency.
• Support the assembly, bring-up, and testing of prototype motor drive and power electronics hardware in the lab, gaining hands-on experience with high-power systems.
• Develop test scripts and analyze experimental data from dynamometer and bench tests to validate simulation models and characterize component performance.
• Correlate motor simulation models with experimental data from dynamometer testing to improve model accuracy and validate design choices.
• Document your simulation results, test procedures, and design analysis in detailed reports and present your findings to the team to inform critical design decisions.

What You Need:

• Pursuing a Bachelor's (3rd or 4th year), Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong fundamentals and coursework in Power Electronics, electric machine theory (including electromagnetic principles and motor topologies like IPM/SPM), and control systems.
• Simulation experience with PLECS and/or MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and simulating motor control systems or power converters.
• Exposure to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software such as ANSYS Maxwell, FEMM, or a similar package for electromagnetic simulation.
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, and electronic loads for testing power electronics.
• Familiarity with motor control techniques such as Field-Oriented Control (FOC) and Space Vector Modulation (SVM).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, a strong theoretical foundation, and a desire to learn in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience with scripting (Python/MATLAB for data analysis), embedded C/C++,iis a strong plus.

Summer 2026 Internship Program Details:

• Program dates are:
• May 26, 2026 - July 31, 2026
• June 15, 2026 - August 21, 2026
• *We will not be able to accommodate interns outside of these two program dates.
• This role will be based at Archer HQ in San Jose, CA.
• Relocation and housing will not be provided.

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 $25.00 - $35.00 per hour. 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 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.