Staff Flight Test Engineer

Vertical Aviation International; Salinas, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer in San Jose, CA is seeking an experienced Flight Test Manager/Engineer to lead development, ground and flight test plans, and FAA certification activities for our all-electric VTOL aircraft.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams, manage test campaigns, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while delivering accurate data and test results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of flight test operations or aerospace testing experience.
• Knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with safety risk management for flight testing or complex operational testing.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in test or development environments.
• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans.
• Prepare Flight Test Cards and assemble flight decks for approval and use.
• Run flight decks in sims with flight crew for optimization.
• Participate in Flight Test Safety Risk Management process.
• Prepare test operating limitations and advisories with engineering disciplines.
• Mentor junior engineers in Flight Test processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, certification, and quality teams to define and achieve test objectives.
• Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance, and modifications during test campaigns.
• Participate in safety risk management activities and maintain compliance with safety standards.
• Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems for accurate data collection.

Skills

Flight test operations

Aerospace testing

Regulatory knowledge

Team leadership

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Aerospace Engineering or related

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.

What you’ll do:

• Prepare development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans
• Prepare Flight Test Cards and assemble flight decks for approval and use
• Run flight decks in sims with flight crew for optimization
• Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process
• Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with the appropriate engineering disciplines
• Mentor Jr. engineers in Flight Test processes
• Collaborate closely with engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure test objectives are clearly defined and achieved
• Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance activities, and modifications during test campaigns
• Participate in safety risk management activities and help maintain compliance with applicable safety standards
• Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, supporting accurate data collection

What you need:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in flight test operations, aerospace testing, or a related technical role
• Strong knowledge of airworthiness certification flight test programs and regulatory requirements
• Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing
• Proficiency in configuration management and planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams or organizations within a test or development environment
• Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with an strong attention to detail
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment

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 $150,000 - $190,000. 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.

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.