Staff GNC Engineer

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, located in San Jose, California, is seeking an experienced aerospace engineer to lead the design of flight control algorithms for electric VTOL aircraft. Applicants should have a strong background in vehicle dynamics and control theory, with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience if holding a BS.

This position offers a competitive salary range of $154,000 - $228,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Archer values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics and control theory.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience with BS, 8 years with MS, or 6 years with PhD.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams to design flight control algorithms.
• Work cross-functionally to connect GNC requirements.
• Build simulations to verify system requirements.

Skills

Vehicle dynamics

Classical control theory

Optimization

MATLAB/Simulink

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering or related field with relevant experience

MS with relevant experience

PhD with relevant experience

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:

• Lead teams to design and implement flight control algorithms for electric VTOL aircraft
• Work cross‑functionally to connect GNC requirements with other system requirements
• Influence leadership with decisions that are affected by GNC systems
• Implement creative solutions to efficiently verify complex systems and software
• Build simulations to verify and validate system requirements
• Run trade studies to inform aircraft design and system architecture
• Work with the Flight Test team to design tests that safely evaluate the vehicle capabilities
• Improve the fidelity and capabilities of our vehicle and environment simulation models
• Analyze full‑scale and subscale flight data to improve our models
• Author software requirements and test cases that drive the design of the GNC software
• Collaborate with Systems Engineering to properly decompose higher‑level requirements
• Collaborate with Systems Safety and Systems Engineering to identify and correct any deficiencies in the Flight Control System

What you need:

• Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, optimization, and both classical and modern control theory
• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or a related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience OR MS with at least 8 years of relevant experience OR PhD with at least 6 years of relevant experience
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience verifying GNC systems in simulation and on hardware
• Experience with envelope protection
• Experience with modeling physics, sensors, and actuators
• Experience applying system identification techniques to aircraft or rotorcraft
• Knowledge of fault detection and isolation techniques
• Experience implementing trajectory generation and/or optimization algorithms
• Experience flight testing piloted and/or autonomous aircraft or rotorcraft
• Piloting experience (aircraft or rotorcraft)

For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $154,000 - $228,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Reasonable Accommodation

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Visa Sponsorship

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.