Sr. Product Quality Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is an aerospace company in San Jose, CA, working on all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. We seek a skilled Quality Engineer to oversee product quality across the lifecycle, including design validation, manufacturing processes, and regulatory compliance.

The role involves leading inspection plans, First Article Inspections, CAPA, and continuous improvement in powertrain manufacturing. Strong aerospace QA experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 4+ years experience in quality engineering
• Experience creating and approving first article inspections with working knowledge of tools required for inspection
• Experience with MES systems and creating inspection plans electronically
• Experience with APQP — creating Control Plans, PPAPs, DFM, MSAs, PFMEAs, DFMEAs, and SPC
• Experience in aerospace or highly regulated manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with GD&T ASME Y14.5 and quality standards AS9100/AS9102/AS9103/AS9145/AS6500

Responsibilities

• Ensure powertrain and related components meet design, safety, regulatory and industry requirements
• Collaborate with design and manufacturing engineers to ensure smooth transitions from design to production
• Lead implementation of Advanced Product Quality Planning techniques such as PFMEAs, Control Plans, and SPC
• Establish and maintain inspection plans
• Perform or support First Article Inspection per SAE AS9102
• Support Material Review Board dispositions
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for powertrain manufacturing processes includingRoot cause analysis and CAPA
• Develop reports and metrics to monitor quality performance and guide corrective actions
• Identify risks and work with cross-functional teams to mitigate them and develop contingency plans
• Assist in training team members on quality standards and tools
• Assist in company inspection planning for FAA conformity inspections and certification

Skills

Quality Engineering

APQP

Control Plans

PFMEA

PPAP

SPC

AS9100 / AS9102

GD&T (ASME Y14.5)

CAPA

First Article Inspection

Manufacturing Experience

SAP

SQL / VBA / Python (coding)

MES Systems

CAD / PLM / ERP

Sigma / Microsoft BI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial)

Tools

MES systems

SAP

CAD

PLM

ERP software

SQL

VBA or Python

Sigma / Microsoft BI

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.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate to join our Quality Engineering team. The ideal candidate will play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of product quality throughout the product lifecycle of the aircraft. This includes overseeing design validation, manufacturing processes, developing inspection plans, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the delivery of a safe, reliable, and high-quality aircraft.

What You'll Do

• Ensure the powertrain, powertrain components, assemblies, and systems meet design, quality, safety, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements
• Work closely with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, and other departments to ensure smooth product transitions from design to production. Provide technical guidance on quality-related issues
• Support the development and roll out of Advanced Product Quality Planning techniques such as PFMEAs, Control Plans, and SPC
• Lead the establishment of inspection plans
• Conduct or support First Article Inspection in compliance with SAE AS9102
• Facilitate and support Material Review Board dispositions
• Identify, lead, and support continuous improvement initiatives for powertrain manufacturing processes, including root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
• Develop reports summarizing quality performance, findings, and recommendations for corrective actions
• Develop metrics and KPIs to assess and act on the health of the manufacturing systems to drive continuous improvement
• Identify potential risks and work with cross-functional teams to mitigate risks and develop contingency plans
• Develop and support the training of team members and other stakeholders on quality standards, practices, and tools
• Assist in the planning and process for company inspection in support of FAA and Company conformity inspection and certification process

What You Need

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial) with at least 4+ years experience
• Experience creating and approving first article inspections with working knowledge of the tools required for inspection
• Experience with MES systems and creating inspection plans electronically
• Experience with APQP — creating Control Plans, PPAPs, DFM, MSAs, PFMEAs, DFMEAs, and SPC
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment in aerospace or other highly regulated environments
• Experience with design reviews including assessing the ability to verify dimensional requirements GD&T ASME Y14.5 (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Knowledge of Quality Standards such as AS9100, AS9102, AS9103, AS9145, and AS6500

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with SAP
• Experience creating real time dashboards using Sigma or Microsoft BI
• Experience with conformity inspection and working with the FAA and Designees
• Six Sigma Black/Green Belt or ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
• Experience with developing/validating automated inspection equipment in a manufacturing environment including working with SQL languages
• Experience with aircraft or composite assembly processes
• Assist in the planning and process for company inspection in support of FAA conformity inspection and certification process
• Experience with CAD, PLM, and ERP software
• EV/eVTOL knowledge or experience in Aerospace
• Coding experience in VBA or Python

At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $126,700 - $150,200. Actual compensation offered will be determined by 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.

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