Powertrain Sustaining Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose, California is seeking a Sustaining Engineer to keep high‑volume powertrain manufacturing equipment running at peak reliability and uptime. You will own a core technical domain while expanding your impact across automated systems, participating in CAPEX projects and continuous improvement efforts.

The role requires a mechanical/electrical/mechatronics or robotics background, 3+ years in a similar environment, and a hands‑on, bias‑for‑action mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years sustaining, commissioning, or optimizing equipment in a highly automated, high-volume manufacturing environment (aerospace, EV, or semiconductor manufacturing preferred).
• Proven ability to improve manufacturing performance metrics such as OEE.

Responsibilities

• Support high-volume production and respond to equipment and process escalations (day and night shift roles available).
• Troubleshoot complex electromechanical manufacturing systems and drive containment, corrective actions, and long‑term improvements.
• Lead root cause analysis and eliminate recurring failure modes impacting uptime and OEE.
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership during extended downtime events.
• Own station‑and line‑level performance metrics and execute improvement projects.
• Lead equipment upgrades, repairs, and CAPEX projects with a focus on reliability and manufacturability.
• Develop and improve SOPs, work instructions, and standard processes.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Engineering to resolve process deviations and non‑conformances.

Skills

Sustaining engineering

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Read engineering drawings

Clear communication

Bias for action

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering

Tools

PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff)

Robotics systems

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.

About The Role:

At Archer, we’re scaling production of our High Voltage Electric Propulsion System — the heart of our eVTOL aircraft, which includes the High Voltage Battery, Electric Motor and Propeller assemblies and represents one of the most technically demanding, highly automated manufacturing systems in our factory.

We’re seeking a Sustaining Engineer to play a critical role in keeping the Powertrain manufacturing systems running at peak performance. This role sits on the Manufacturing Design Engineering group and owns the reliability, uptime, and continuous improvement of advanced powertrain manufacturing equipment in a high-volume production environment. You'll join the team that best matches your skills: HVPS Sustaining, EPS Sustaining, or Automation Controls.

You’ll be hands‑on, deeply technical, and accountable for solving complex manufacturing problems—often under real production pressure. The ideal candidate brings strong engineering judgment, a structured problem‑solving mindset, and a bias for action. You’ll own a core technical domain while expanding your impact across our automated equipment and manufacturing ecosystem.

We are open to candidates with a mechanical/process focus, controls/automation focus, or a strong blend of both.

What You’ll Do:

• Support high-volume production and respond to equipment and process escalations (day and night shift roles available)
• Troubleshoot complex electromechanical manufacturing systems and drive containment, corrective actions, and long‑term improvements
• Lead root cause analysis and eliminate recurring failure modes impacting uptime and OEE
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership during extended downtime events
• Own station‑and line‑level performance metrics and execute improvement projects
• Lead equipment upgrades, repairs, and CAPEX projects with a focus on reliability and manufacturability
• Develop and improve SOPs, work instructions, and standard processes
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Engineering to resolve process deviations and non‑conformances

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• 3+ years sustaining, commissioning, or optimizing equipment in a highly automated, high-volume manufacturing environment (aerospace, EV, or semiconductor manufacturing preferred)
• Proven ability to improve manufacturing performance metrics such as OEE
• Strong troubleshooting and structured problem‑solving skills (e.g., 5 Whys, DMAIC, 8D)
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and electrical schematics
• Clear communicator with a high‑ownership, bias‑for‑action mindset

Technical Depth:

You bring deep expertise in at least one area, with the expectation to grow into adjacent systems:

• Equipment Design & Specifications
• Process Development & MES
• Controls / Automation (PLCs, industrial systems)
• Robotics or advanced manufacturing equipment

Working knowledge of automated assembly, test systems, industrial sensors/actuators, and factory systems is expected and will deepen over time.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with eMotor or battery manufacturing
• PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff)
• Robotics, vision systems, or MES integration
• NFPA 70E or RIA certifications
• PFMEA development, NX, or Teamcenter experience

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 $110,400 - $153,600. 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.

Job posting details for Powertrain Sustaining Engineer at Archer in San Jose, California, United States. . ClimateTechList gathers 16,000+ job openings from over 767 climate tech companies and updates them daily.