Staff Program Manager, Flight Test

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer is seeking a seasoned Flight Test Program Manager in San Jose, CA to lead planning, execution, and certification of flight test campaigns. You will serve as the primary link between Design Engineering, Flight Operations, and regulatory authorities, ensuring safe and efficient testing.

You must have deep FAA knowledge, strong organizational and leadership skills, and experience with complex test programs. This role offers competitive base pay and is based in our San Jose facility.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in flight test operations or flight test program management.
• Demonstrated experience with aircraft development programs (Part 23 or Part 25 preferred).
• Deep understanding of FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 21; FAA 4040.26B).
• Strong scheduling and issue-tracking skills with tools like MS Project, Primavera or Smartsheet, Jira.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of flight test campaigns from ground runs to final certification.
• Interface between Flight Test, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.
• Develop, manage and ensure compliance with flight test processes and procedures.
• Oversee configuration control of test vehicles and conformity to test requirements.
• Coordinate with FAA and DERs for Certification and TIA activities.
• Manage external test site logistics including remote deployments and airspace coordination.
• Develop and maintain IMS for flight test assets and budgets for flight operations.
• Track KPIs and report progress; lead daily stand-ups and cross-functional reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Risk awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical engineering

Master's degree in Flight Test Engineering or MBA

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera

Smartsheet

Jira

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:

We are seeking a seasoned Flight Test Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and certification of our flight test campaigns. This role acts as the critical link between the design engineering teams, the flight operations crew, and regulatory authorities. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of flight test vehicles, ensuring that development and certification testing is conducted safely and efficiently. The position requires a deep understanding of flight test operations and advanced organization, communication, and time management skills..

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning and execution of flight test campaigns from initial ground runs and envelope expansion through final certification
• Serve as the primary interface between the Flight Test organization and Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams
• Develop, manage, and ensure compliance with flight test processes and procedures
• Oversee the configuration control of test vehicles, ensuring aircraft configuration and conformity align with specific test requirements
• Coordinate with the FAA and designated engineering representatives (DERs) to support Certification and Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) activities
• Manage external test site logistics, including remote deployments, hangar facilities, and airspace coordination

Program Management:

• Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for all flight test vehicles and assets
• Manage program budgets for flight operations, including instrumentation, maintenance, telemetry infrastructure, and external range costs
• Track and report flight test KPIs, such as sortie rates, test points efficiency, and aircraft availability
• Lead daily stand-ups and weekly program reviews with cross-functional stakeholders
• Identify critical path risks and implement recovery plans to mitigate schedule slips during testing delays
• Facilitate communication between technical teams and executive leadership regarding test campaign progress, technical challenges, and shifting priorities

What You Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in flight test operations or flight test program management
• Demonstrated experience with aircraft development programs (Part 23 or Part 25 certification preferred)
• Deep understanding of FAA regulations, specifically 14 CFR Part 21 and flight test risk management (e.g., FAA Order 4040.26B)
• Strong proficiency in scheduling tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera, or Smartsheet) and issue tracking (Jira)
• Experience managing complex logistics, including aircraft maintenance and remote site operations

Bonus Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Flight Test Engineering or Business Administration
• Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) short course or full curriculum
• Private Pilot License (PPL) or higher aviation certification
• Experience with eVTOL, fly-by-wire systems, or high-voltage electric propulsion testing
• Experience with telemetry control room operations and real-time monitoring tools

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 $172,800 - $216,000. 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.

Job posting details for Staff Program Manager, Flight Test at Archer in San Jose, California, United States. . ClimateTechList gathers 9,000+ job openings from over 477 climate tech companies and updates them daily.