Senior Flight Test Engineer - Electric VTOL Certification

Archer; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to lead development, test planning, and FAA certification activities for our all-electric VTOL program. You will collaborate across engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure rigorous safety and airworthiness standards are met during complex flight test campaigns.

You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate test activities, and drive data-driven improvements in fast-paced environments, supporting Archer’s mission to advance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in flight test operations, aerospace testing, or related technical role.
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing.
• Proficiency in configuration management and planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams or organizations within a test or development environment.
• Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans.
• Prepare Flight Test Cards and assemble flight decks for approval and use.
• Run flight decks in sims with flight crew for optimization.
• Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process.
• Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with engineering disciplines.
• Mentor Jr. engineers in Flight Test processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure test objectives are defined and achieved.
• Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance activities, and modifications during test campaigns.
• Participate in safety risk management activities and help maintain compliance with safety standards.
• Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, supporting accurate data collection.

Skills

Flight test operations

Aerospace testing

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Project planning

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Configuration management

Job description

Archer is seeking an experienced Flight Test Engineer to lead development, test planning, and FAA certification activities for our all-electric VTOL program. You will collaborate across engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure rigorous safety and airworthiness standards are met during complex flight test campaigns.

You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate test activities, and drive data-driven improvements in fast-paced environments, supporting Archer’s mission to advance