Sr. Propulsion Electrical Systems Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking a Sr. Electric Engine Systems Engineer in San Jose to lead the Airborne Electronic Hardware lifecycle for electric propulsion units. You will define requirements, manage DO-254 compliance, and drive V&V campaigns for high‑voltage inverters and motor control hardware.

You will coordinate with DERs and lead critical design reviews, ensuring safety, environmental durability, and certification readiness for aerospace standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years hardware systems engineering, V&V, or AEH qualification in aerospace or regulated industries.
• Deep technical understanding of power electronics, motor control, and inverter topologies.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and architecture for AEH hardware components for inverters, gate drivers, and motor control logic.
• Lead design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR) and ensure traceability and DO-254 compliance.
• Coordinate with DERs and manage DO-254 documentation and certification artifacts.

Skills

Power electronics

PMAC motor control

Inverter topologies

Requirements management

DO-254

V&V planning

Hardware interface

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

Tools

Polarion

DOORS

Jama

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.

In the Sr. Electric Engine Systems Engineer role, you will drive the Airborne Electronic Hardware (AEH) systems lifecycle for Archer’s electric propulsion units (EPU). This position bridges the gap between detailed power electronics design and aircraft-level certification. You will be responsible for defining requirements, managing the DO-254 compliance process, and executing rigorous verification and validation (V&V) campaigns for high-voltage inverters and motor control hardware. Your work ensures that our electric engines meet the stringent safety factors, environmental durability, and functional performance required for Part 33/Part 23 certification.

What You’ll Do:

• Requirements & Architecture:
  • Partner with hardware designers to decompose aircraft-level functions into verifiable hardware requirements for inverters, gate drivers, and motor control logic.
  • Manage requirements traceability using Polarion or DOORS, ensuring full coverage for safety-critical functions.
  • Define robust hardware-to-software and hardware-to-mechanical interface control documents (ICDs).
• Process & Certification:
  • Generate and maintain AEH certification artifacts as required by DO-254 (Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification, Hardware Design Plan, Hardware Accomplishment Summary).
  • Coordinate with Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) to review compliance data and substantiate design assurance levels (DAL A/B).
  • Lead critical design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure design decisions are justified via analysis and documented for certification.

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in hardware systems engineering, V&V, or AEH qualification in aerospace or similarly regulated industries (automotive ISO 26262).
• Deep technical understanding of power electronics, PMAC motor control, and inverter topologies.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing environmental and functional testing (DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or automotive equivalents).
• Proficiency with requirements management tools (Polarion, DOORS, Jama).
• Strong knowledge of DO-254 design assurance lifecycles and structured verification methodologies.
• Ability to interpret complex circuit schematics and perform root cause analysis on test failures.
• Excellent technical communication skills for interfacing with regulatory authorities and cross-functional design teams.

Bonus Qualifications

• Direct experience certifying Engines under 14 CFR Part 33.
• Experience setting up or operating high-power dynamometers and HIL test benches.
• Knowledge of SAE ARP4754A (Systems Development) and ARP4761 (Safety Assessment/FMEA/FTA).

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 $140,000 - $195,000. 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.

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.