Senior Composite Airframe Engineer – FAA Certification

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 182,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, seeking an experienced Composite Materials SME to lead development, qualification, and FAA certification for composite airframe materials and processes for our all-electric eVTOL aircraft. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, and certification teams to ensure structures meet performance and safety standards.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Materials/Engineering, 10+ years in aerospace composites, and strong NDT,

Qualifications

• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Aerospace composites

Material qualification

NDT experience

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Materials/Engineering

Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, seeking an experienced Composite Materials SME to lead development, qualification, and FAA certification for composite airframe materials and processes for our all-electric eVTOL aircraft. You will collaborate with design, manufacturing, and certification teams to ensure structures meet performance and safety standards.

The role requires a Master’s degree in Materials/Engineering, 10+ years in aerospace composites, and strong NDT,