Senior Avionics & Electrical Lead - Special Programs

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 138,200 - 190,100; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose, CA seeks a Lead Engineer, Avionics & Electrical - Special Programs to lead the avionics and electrical design and integration for prototype vehicles and to own the discipline across rapid prototyping efforts.

The role requires deep expertise in sensor and mission-systems integration, data bus architecture, and airframe integration, plus the ability to work across lifecycle stages in a fast-paced defense-oriented program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Avionics, or Computer Engineering (advanced degree a plus).
• Experience in avionics or electrical systems design and integration for aerospace or defense platforms.
• Familiarity with data bus protocols (ARINC, CAN, MIL-STD-1553) a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle - concept through prototype - in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.
• Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements.
• Comfort operating as a generalist when needed - willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs.
• Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure.
• 8-12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments).
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead avionics and electrical design and integration for prototype vehicles, including sensor and mission-systems integration, electrical/data bus architecture, and avionics-to-airframe integration.
• Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept architecture through bench integration, ground test, and flight test support.
• Own the avionics and electrical discipline within Special Programs - setting technical approach, standards, and integration methods used across the program’s work in these areas.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities - evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require.
• Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it.
• Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints.
• Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions.
• Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders.

Skills

Avionics design

Electrical systems integration

Independent ownership

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Avionics, or Computer Engineering

Tools

ARINC

CAN

MIL-STD-1553

Job description

Archer in San Jose, CA seeks a Lead Engineer, Avionics & Electrical - Special Programs to lead the avionics and electrical design and integration for prototype vehicles and to own the discipline across rapid prototyping efforts.

The role requires deep expertise in sensor and mission-systems integration, data bus architecture, and airframe integration, plus the ability to work across lifecycle stages in a fast-paced defense-oriented program.