Senior Test Engineer, Actuation

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking an experienced Test Engineer to join the Propulsion Team in San Jose, CA. You will verify and test Archer’s Electric Engine Tilt-rotor system, plan complex test campaigns, and collaborate with Software, Systems, and Design teams to drive improvements while ensuring compliance with applicable aviation standards.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and 3+ years in testing integrated safety-critical systems, with strong data processing and instrumentation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or related field.
• 3+ years in testing highly-integrated safety-critical systems (aerospace, automotive or healthcare).
• Experience with requirements-based testing and instrumenting tests.

Responsibilities

• Understand Propulsion system architecture and subsystems.
• Develop test plans for Archer Electric Engine Tilt-rotor system.
• Design and execute verification tests on custom test-stands.
• Process test data and prepare technical reports.
• Investigate issues to determine root causes and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with Software, Systems, and Design teams.
• Support aircraft/system documentation and procedures.

Skills

Testing methodologies

Python/ MATLAB data processing

CAN/Ethernet/RS485 debugging

Instrumentation & data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering (Mechanical/Aerospace/Electrical)

Tools

National Instruments

Test stands

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.

We are looking for an experienced Test Engineer to join the Propulsion Team at Archer. This role will have a strong focus on the verification and testing of Archer’s internally-developed Propulsion Tilt-rotor system, which interfaces with the electric engines, and other electric actuation subsystems, as well as low voltage and high-voltage power distribution. This role will have to plan and execute testing at component-level as well as integrated system level. Having prior testing experience and capability of executing in complex test campaigns is a must.

What you’ll do:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Propulsion system, including architecture as well the details of all subsystems and components.
• Develop test plans to validate and verify the Archer Electric Engine Tilt-rotor system consisting of components involving electrical actuation components, and mechanisms.
• Design and execute requirements-based verification tests on custom test-stands.
• Process test data, and prepare technical test reports.
• Investigate any emergent issues discovered during testing to determine root cause and drive product improvements.
• Develop and improve test stands, tooling.
• Collaborate with the Software development team, Systems engineering team, and Design teams.
• Support development and review of aircraft-level and system-level technical documentation such as manuals and procedures.
• Contribute to improving internal processes and tools.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s in Engineering, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in testing highly-integrated safety-critical systems (aerospace, automotive or healthcare)
• Experience with requirements-based testing.
• Experience with actuation control system design, and practical controls implementation.
• Familiarity 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
• Ensure testing is compliant with FAA, DoD, or other aircraft standards
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Exhibits ownership with an ability to thrive within ambiguity

Bonus qualifications

• Experience executing formal Validation and Verification activities in a civil aerospace program.
• Prior experience with hydraulic loading actuators.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, National Instruments, or other data acquisition and analysis software.
• Experience with integrated system communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet, RS485 etc.)
• Experience with High Voltage systems and safety

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.

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.