Sr. Autonomy Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, headquartered in Silicon Valley, is seeking a senior contributor to advance autonomous planning and multi-agent coordination for air mobility platforms. You will design real-time path and mission planning, build high-throughput data pipelines, and optimize datalinks for reliable C2 across constrained networks.

We expect a PhD or equivalent experience in engineering, CS, or robotics, strong C++ real-time embedded work, and ROS 2/DDS expertise.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, CS, or Robotics with direct autonomy experience.
• PhD + 2 yrs / MS + 6 yrs / BS + 8 yrs equivalent experience.
• Production-level C++ on embedded platforms with Python for prototyping.
• Experience with path/motion planning and multi-agent coordination on hardware or HIL.
• Hands-on data logging, serialization, and processing pipelines for embedded autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Design and mature real-time path/motion planning for single- and multi-agent systems.
• Architect end-to-end data pipelines for high-rate sensor logging and telemetry.
• Build and optimize resilient comms/datalinks for multi-agent coordination.
• Integrate planning algorithms with embedded flight software stack for real-time execution.
• Validate autonomous behaviors across SIL, HIL, and live field tests.
• Collaborate with perception, navigation, systems, and hardware teams.

Skills

C++ real-time

ROS 2

Python

Embedded systems

Datalinks

Education

Advanced degree in engineering/CS/robotics

Tools

DDS middleware

High-throughput data pipelines

Job description

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

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.

Note: This role must be based onsite in the San Jose area. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What You’ll Do:

• Autonomous Algorithms & Planning: Design, implement, and mature real-time path/motion planning, mission planning, multi-platform coordination, and onboard decision-making algorithms for single- and multi-agent systems
• Data Pipelines, Logging & Infrastructure: Architect end-to-end data pipelines for high-rate sensor logging, telemetry recording, onboard data processing, and playback to support post-flight analytics, model training, and algorithmic regression testing
• Comms & Datalink Integration: Build and optimize resilient communication protocols and networking logic over bandwidth-constrained, high-latency, or lossy datalinks to enable reliable multi-agent coordination and command/control (C2)
• System Integration & Execution: Integrate planning algorithms, data pipelines, and comms layers directly with the broader embedded onboard software stack for real-time, low-latency execution
• Testing & Field Validation: Validate complex autonomous behaviors, datalink performance, and data pipelines across software-in-the-loop (SIL), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test rigs, and live field operations
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with perception, navigation, systems, and hardware teams to field robust autonomous platforms operating under real-world uncertainty

What You Need:

• Education & Experience: Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering, Computer Science, or Robotics, or a related field, featuring direct industry experience developing and deploying autonomy algorithms on fielded systems. (Ph.D. + 2 yrs / M.S. + 6 yrs / B.S. + 8 yrs)
• Languages & Embedded Execution: Production-level C++ experience for real-time, low-latency execution on embedded platforms, alongside strong Python proficiency for rapid prototyping, analytics, and C++/Python bindings
• Algorithms & Decision-Making: Proven track record designing and deploying path/motion planning, distributed coordination, and decision-making under uncertainty on physical hardware or HIL systems
• Data Processing & Logging Systems: Hands-on experience building high-throughput data logging, serialization, recording frameworks, and processing pipelines for embedded autonomy platforms
• Communications & Datalinks: Practical experience with wireless network protocols, custom datalink interface management, and designing multi-agent communication schemes under lossy, high-latency, or limited-bandwidth conditions
• Robotics Middleware: Deep hands-on production experience with ROS 2 infrastructure, including DDS middleware configuration, QoS tuning for low-bandwidth links, and custom message definition

Bonus Qualifications:

• Fielded Multi-Agent Systems: Experience fielding multi-agent or swarm systems on physical platforms (UAVs, AUVs, ground robotics) under tight compute, energy, and RF/datalink constraints
• Adversarial/RF Environments: Familiarity with mesh networking, tactical datalinks, or autonomous operations in communications-degraded or denied environments
• HIL & Data Management: Experience constructing high-fidelity HIL test benches with automated data ingestion, replay pipelines, and automated performance validation
• Intellectual Property: Track record of patents, publications, or technical contributions in autonomous planning, swarm coordination, or distributed communications

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

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 $144,000 - $180,000. 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.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

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.

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 to [e-mail] . All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.