Staff Equipment Design Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, is hiring an Equipment Engineer to own cradle-to-grave equipment solutions for current production and future programs. You will work with cross-function teams including Aircraft Manufacturing, Powertrain, Controls, and Advanced Manufacturing to deliver high-precision automation in a safety-sensitive environment.

You will lead the lifecycle of tooling and automation, perform GD&T analyses, and ensure seamless integration on the factory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years hands-on equipment design experience.
• Strong CAD/3D modelling and GD&T proficiency.
• Experience commissioning automated machinery on the factory floor.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead complete lifecycle of custom manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation from concept through handoff.
• Architect complex mechanisms, kinematic systems, and fluid power equipment with stress/deflection analysis.
• Select and integrate actuators, sensors, and hardware for high-precision mechatronic systems.
• Collaborate with design teams on DFM/DFA and document trade-offs for stakeholders.
• Oversee procurement, on-site builds, troubleshooting, and process refinement.
• Develop internal design tools, standards, and workflows to scale capabilities.

Skills

Equipment design

CAD (2D/3D)

GD&T

Mechatronics design

Mechanical design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Mechatronics/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

PLM

MES

ERP

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.

About The Team

At Archer, our internal Equipment Design team enables rapid innovation by designing, procuring, and building custom tooling and automation in-house. By keeping this capability internal, we move faster through product and process iterations while driving significant capital efficiency.

As our scope has expanded from High Voltage Power Systems (HVPS) and Electric Propulsion Systems (EPS) to supporting all manufacturing teams across the company, we are hiring an Equipment Engineer. In this role, you’ll tackle ground-up equipment design under unique aerospace constraints, creating novel automation systems engineered to exceed the rigorous quality and traceability standards of the eVTOL industry.

You will work cross-functionally with Aircraft Manufacturing, Powertrain, Controls, and Advanced Manufacturing teams to own cradle-to-grave equipment solutions for both current production and future programs.

What You’ll Do:

• End-to-End Ownership: Lead the complete lifecycle of custom manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation—from initial greenfield concepts and engineering analysis through assembly, factory bring-up, and handoff.
• Mechanical & Mechatronic Design: Architect complex mechanisms, kinematic systems, and fluid power equipment, executing detailed stress, deflection, and tolerance stack (GD&T) analyses.
• Component Integration: Select, size, and integrate off-the-shelf actuators, sensors, and hardware to build high-precision mechatronic systems with open and closed-loop controls.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with design teams on DFM/DFA feedback, document design trade-offs for stakeholders, and advise team members on robust machine architectures.
• Hands-On Commissioning & Floor Support: Manage procurement, oversee physical builds, troubleshoot automation on the floor, and refine processes to ensure seamless operational integration.
• Continuous Improvement: Develop internal design tools, standards, and workflows to accelerate team productivity and scale our internal equipment building capabilities.

What You Need:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent practical experience) with 5+ years of hands-on equipment design experience.
• CAD & Drafting Mastery: Deep proficiency in 2D/3D CAD for creating clean manufacturing layouts, complex assembly models, and fabrication-ready part drawings.
• Engineering Fundamentals: Strong foundation in engineering mechanics, machine design, material selection, structural analysis, and GD&T application.
• Commissioning & Shop Skills: Proven track record commissioning automated machinery on the factory floor, paired with practical hand-tool and mechanical assembly skills.
• Communication & Execution: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to maintain focus, organization, and speed in a fast-paced environment.
• Mobility: Ability to travel up to 10% (domestic and international) to support vendor integration and equipment deployments.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Domain Expertise: Prior experience designing equipment for High Voltage Power Systems (HVPS), Electric Propulsion Systems (EPS), or aerospace manufacturing environment.
• CAD & Systems Tools: Proficiency with Siemens NX alongside familiarization with PLM, MES, and ERP enterprise software.
• Automation & Controls: Direct, hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting industrial automation hardware (PLCs, 6-axis robots, gantries, vision systems).
• Fabrication Skills: Practical machining, welding, or hands-on prototyping experience.
• Scale Experience: Proven track record bringing manufacturing lines from early-stage prototype phases to full-rate production.

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 $152,100 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.

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.