Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Final Assembly

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

Job summary

Archer in San Jose leads the development of all-electric, four-passenger airframes for next-generation sustainable urban mobility. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will own end-to-end airframe builds, drive manufacturability and compliance, and mentor a growing team of engineers and technicians.

You will collaborate across design, quality, and certification to embed cost-effective, high-precision processes, and act as the on-floor SME to resolve issues and keep programs on schedule while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent).
• 8+ years in aerospace manufacturing, with airframe assembly and composite structures experience.
• Proven track record driving DFM principles for complex composite parts (layup, bonding, cure).
• Expertise in CAD, PLM, and MES tools.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-iteration environment balancing big-picture goals with hands-on solutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide overarching leadership and technical direction for airframe manufacturing processes, including composite layup, bonding, trimming, metallic integration, and assembly sequencing.
• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of airframe builds, collaborating with design, quality, and certification teams to embed manufacturability, compliance, and risk mitigation from concept to flight test readiness.
• Drive tooling strategies and fixture development for prototype builds, balancing the need for high precision with practical solutions suited to low-volume, rapidly evolving programs.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on the shop floor, leading root-cause analysis and implementing timely corrective actions to maintain schedule, quality, and structural integrity.
• Act as a key liaison with supply chain and regulatory bodies (FAA), ensuring materials, documentation, and processes align with certification objectives.
• Mentor and guide manufacturing engineers and technicians at all levels, setting best practices, championing innovative problem-solving, and fostering a hands-on culture of ownership and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Airframe manufacturing

Composite structures

DFM principles

Cross-functional leadership

Mentoring

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD

PLM

MES

NX

Teamcenter

SAP

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:

• Provide overarching leadership and technical direction for airframe manufacturing processes, including composite layup, bonding, trimming, metallic integration, and assembly sequencing.
• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of airframe builds, collaborating with design, quality, and certification teams to embed manufacturability, compliance, and risk mitigation from concept to flight test readiness.
• Drive tooling strategies and fixture development for prototype builds, balancing the need for high precision with practical solutions suited to low-volume, rapidly evolving programs.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on the shop floor, leading root-cause analysis and implementing timely corrective actions to maintain schedule, quality, and structural integrity.
• Act as a key liaison with supply chain and regulatory bodies (FAA), ensuring materials, documentation, and processes align with certification objectives.
• Mentor and guide manufacturing engineers and technicians at all levels, setting best practices, championing innovative problem-solving, and fostering a hands-on culture of ownership and accountability.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years in aerospace manufacturing, with a focus on airframe assembly and composite structures; prototype or experimental aircraft experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of driving DFM principles for complex composite parts (layup, bonding, cure)
• Expertise in advanced manufacturing tools (CAD, PLM, MES)
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional coordination skills to set direction and mentor a diverse engineering team.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-iteration environment, balancing big-picture program goals with hands-on, real-time build solutions.

Bonus Qualifications:

• NX Experience
• Teamcenter Experience
• SAP Experience
• Part 23 Certification Experience
• EVTOL Background.

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 $151,680.00 - $189,600.00. 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.

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.