Powertrain (EPS) Manufacturing Technician Lead

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is scaling its Electric Propulsion System production for the Midnight aircraft. The Powertrain Manufacturing Technician Lead role is hands-on, supervising assembly of engines and powertrain components while guiding junior technicians in a fast-paced environment.

You will partner with Engineering to validate processes, read schematics, and maintain strict quality; you will own line health and shift handoffs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent industry experience required.
• 5+ years manufacturing experience with 3+ years in electric engine assembly.
• Experience reading schematics and DFX documentation.

Responsibilities

• Onboard and train junior technicians and ensure smooth shift handoffs.
• Collaborate with engineering for equipment bring-up and process validation feedback.
• Assemble electric engines including inverters, stators, gearboxes, and motors.
• Debug and troubleshoot engines and processing issues; handle reworks.
• Set up basic lab fixtures and assembly tools.
• Perform metrology-based inspections with calipers, micrometers, CMM.
• Maintain line health and calibration; routine equipment maintenance.

Skills

Team leadership

Electrical assembly

Mechanical assembly

Print reading

Quality documentation

Metrology tools

Safety compliance

Education

Associate degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

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

As part of the mission at Archer, we’re scaling production of our cutting-edge Electric Propulsion System (EPS) — the heart of our eVTOL aircraft. EPS comprises the Electric Motor, Inverter and Propeller assemblies.

As a Powertrain (EPS) Manufacturing Technician Lead, you will be in a hands‑on role assembling variants of engines for our Midnight aircraft, utilizing your deep electromechanical expertise to troubleshoot complex builds, interpret schematics, and execute critical reworks in a fast-paced, non-standardized environment. In this role, you will take full ownership of engineering projects while naturally leading the line by training junior technicians and managing seamless shift handoffs.

What You’ll Do:

• Support & Guide the Team: Serve as a key point of contact on the floor by assisting with onboarding, training junior team members, and ensuring smooth communication during shift handoffs.
• Partner with Engineering: Work closely with engineering teams to support equipment bring-up, provide feedback on process validation, and help bridge the gap between design and production.
• Execute Complex Assemblies: Build electric engines (including inverters, stators, gearboxes, and motors) using a mix of manual, semi-automated, and automated equipment.
• Troubleshoot & Resolve Issues: Take ownership of debugging electric engines, troubleshooting equipment or process disruptions, and handling complex reworks where standard procedures may still be evolving.
• Assemble Tools & Fixtures: Setup and build basic lab fixtures and assembly tools to support the line's build flows.
• Ensure Quality & Precision: Perform detailed inspections and product measurements using metrology tools (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges, measurement microscopes) to maintain strict quality standards.
• Maintain Line Health: Perform routine equipment maintenance and keep the workspace calibrated and audit-ready.
• Typical work schedule is Monday–Friday, Day Shift with mandatory overtime during peak production pushes.

What You Need:

• Experience & Education: An Associate’s Degree (or equivalent industry experience) paired with 5+ years of manufacturing experience, including 3+ years specifically focused on electric engine assembly.
• Environment Agility: Proven experience thriving in an R&D, NPI, or early-stage production environment where processes are still evolving.
• Technical Assembly Expertise: Strong hands‑on experience building complex mechanical and electronic assemblies using technical documentation, schematics, and blueprints.
• Quality & Documentation Focus: High workmanship standards with the ability to closely follow formal build instructions, accurately document deviations, and utilize Microsoft Office for clear reporting.
• Print Reading & Drafting Standards: Solid understanding of drafting standards with the ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings to build parts and assemblies.
• Precision Inspection: Proficient in using measurement and inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, CMM) to ensure high-quality standards.
• Safety & Workplace Excellence: Familiarity with 5S organization and a strict adherence to maintenance safety protocols (including LOTO, Arc Flash, etc.).

Bonus Qualifications:

• Active IPC Certifications or strong knowledge of IPC standards.
• Direct experience assembling or working with stator windings.
• Experience utilizing SAP or similar enterprise ERP systems.

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 an hourly base pay between $55.00 - $72.00. 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.

Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

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.