Senior Electric Propulsion Test Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company based in San Jose is seeking an Electric Engine Test Engineer to contribute to the development of an all-electric aircraft. The role involves designing and executing rigorous testing protocols for electric engines and thrust units, requiring specialized skills in engineering and testing systems. This position offers a competitive salary and commitment to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in testing power electronic or mechanical systems.
• Experience developing detailed test procedures for motor drives.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop Electric Engine test plans with detailed procedures.
• Perform Electric Engine testing with various test setups.
• Investigate issues discovered during testing to drive product improvements.

Skills

electric engine testing

power electronics

system communication protocols

signal processing

data processing with Python

Education

Bachelors of Science in mechanical, aerospace, or electrical engineering

Tools

dynos

National Instruments

dSPACE test platforms

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.

What you’ll do:

• Develop Electric Engine, Thrust Unit, and Engine integration test plans with detailed test procedures
• Perform Electric Engine testing using various test setups including dynamometers
• Perform Requirements-based Electric Engine and Thrust Unit verification tests
• Perform Powertrain-level testing with electric engines and battery pack to support Powertrain development and characterization

• Develop requirements for Electric Engine, Thrust Unit, and Engine integration test stands along with detailed instrumentation
• Process test data, document results and write test reports
• Manage competing test priorities to best support Archer’s company goals
• Investigate issues discovered during testing to determine root cause and drive product improvements
• Collaborate with Engine Software development team, Systems engineering team, and design team

What you need:

• Bachelors of Science or equivalent in mechanical, aerospace, electrical engineering or an equivalent field
• 4+ years of experience in testing power electronic or mechanical systems against detailed requirements
• Experience developing detailed test procedures to verify requirements for motor drives and/or motor+gearbox
• Experience with electric engine test equipment, especially dynos
• Experience with developing verification strategies and performing and documenting verification tests
• Strong experience with integrated system communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, RS485 etc.) including debugging communication problems
• Experience with various test instrumentation devices (e.g. voltage, current, vibration, temperature measurement)
• Strong experience with signal processing and analysis
• Strong experience with python or matlab data processing and analysis
• Experience debugging test incidents and performing root cause failure analyses
• Basic working understanding of electrical circuit design, mechanical engineering, power electronics, motor drives
• Excellent organizational and communication skills

Bonus qualifications

• Experience with dyno testing and powertrain testing
• Experience with Engine + Propeller testing
• Experience with battery pack testing
• Experience with National Instruments and dSPACE test platforms
• Experience with component, system, or vehicle validation testing (FAA DO160, or equivalent)

• Experience with HV systems and safety

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 $134,400 - $168,000. 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 [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 [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.