Senior FEA Engineer, Aerospace Structures & Validation

Archer; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job description

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose, California, building the aircraft and technology that will define the next era of flight. The company works across air taxis, UAS, AI and powertrain development - building real-world systems that combine software intelligence with physical hardware. That includes Midnight, Archer's all-electric air taxi; Halo, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft built for both commercial and defense use; and ZEE, Archer's AI foundation model built specifically for aviation. We’re seeking exceptional engineers, operators and builders to join us on our mission to build the future of aerospace and defense.

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.

Who we are:

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 for 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph 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.

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:

• Assist in building and updating FE models of electric propulsion engine assemblies using ANSA as the pre-processor.
• Run linear static analyses in Nastran for limit and ultimate load cases; check results for correctness and flag anomalies.
• Support nonlinear analysis tasks in Ansys under direction of senior engineers.
• Post-process analysis results in Meta; generate plots, summary tables, and preliminary findings for review.
• Maintain traceability between analysis inputs (loads, geometry revisions, material properties) and analysis outputs.
• Prepare sections of analysis reports under review and guidance of the lead engineer.
• Collaborate with design and loads teams to incorporate design changes and updated boundary conditions into models promptly.
• Actively develop technical skills through hands-on work, code review, and mentorship from senior team members.

What you need:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or a related Engineering field.
• 2-4 years of FEA experience on structural assemblies, including meshing in ANSA or equivalent pre-processor.
• Working knowledge of Nastran for linear static analysis.
• Familiarity with results post-processing in Meta, FEMAP, or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of structural mechanics: stress, strain, load paths, bolted joint behavior.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills to manage analysis inputs and outputs across multiple design iterations.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Team-oriented mindset with willingness to receive and act on technical feedback.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Academic or internship exposure to rotating machinery, powertrain, or electromechanical structural analysis.
• Familiarity with Ansys for nonlinear structural problems.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB scripting for FEA pre/post-processing.
• Knowledge of composite or metallic aerospace structural analysis methods.
• Familiarity with FAA certification requirements for Part 23 or Part 27 aircraft.
• Experience with PDM/PLM tools for version-controlled model management.

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 $100,000 - $160,000. 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 at [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

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.