Staff Technical Program Manager

Archer; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer, based in San Jose, CA, leads the development of an all-electric four-passenger air vehicle and defense programs. You will manage Archer Defense with cross‑functional teams, ensuring performance, compliance, and successful delivery under tight schedules.

The ideal candidate has extensive aerospace experience, proficiency in modeling/simulation, and the ability to navigate undefined environments. US citizenship and DoD clearance are required.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering, computer science, physics, or math.
• MS or PhD desired.
• Experience with modeling and simulation environments, design, analysis, fabrication, and test.
• Knowledge of RF, EOIR, acoustic, mission systems, sensors, communications.
• Experience leading and working across engineering, manufacturing, and business disciplines.
• Technical understanding of dynamic and propulsion (electric, hybrid, and gas turbine) systems.
• Familiarity with EAR (15 CFR Parts 730-774); ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120-130).
• Candidates must be a US citizen, and possess or have ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Join the team managing the Archer Defense portfolio and incubate concepts across baselines.
• Serve as primary lead for Archer Defense Air Force contracts, ensuring deliverables and compliance.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and resources to enable defense programs.
• Tackle new challenges with curiosity and expand scope to solve problems.
• Navigate complex environments and pivot as requirements evolve.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Aerospace engineering

Python

MATLAB

CAD

Jira

Smartsheets

Systems engineering

Security clearance

Education

BS in Engineering/CS/Physics/Math

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

CAD

Python

MATLAB

Jira

Smartsheets

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:

• Candidates will join the team responsible for the management of the Archer Defense portfolio; responsible for incubating new concepts, market solutions, lead capture efforts, and executing programs across technical, cost, and schedule baselines.
• Candidates will serve as the primary lead for the Archer Defense Air Force contracts, ensuring all deliverables, compliance standards, and customer requirements are met.
• Partner effectively across the broader OEM organization to align resources, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the successful enablement and delivery of defense-specific programs.
• Candidates approach new challenges with curiosity rather than hesitation, and are eager to step outside their defined scope to solve problems and drive the business forward.
• Ideal candidates have a demonstrated ability to navigate complex, undefined environments and pivot quickly as program requirements evolve. They are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information.

What you need:

• 6-12 years experience in the aerospace or related field.Candidates will possess as a minimum BS engineering, computer science, physics, or math degree; MS or PhD desired.
• Experience with numerous modeling and simulation environments, design, analysis, fabrication, and test, knowledge of domestic and international threat systems. Knowledge of RF, EOIR, acoustic, mission systems, sensors, communications
• Candidates should have experience leading and working across all engineering, manufacturing, and business disciplines.
• Technical understanding of dynamic and propulsion (electric, hybrid, and gas turbine) systems
• Software capabilities: CAD, Python, MATLAB, Jira, Smartsheets
• Familiarity with EAR (15 CFR Parts 730-774); ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120-130)
• Candidates must be a US citizen, and possess or have the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Model Based Systems Engineering, SysML, DoDAF.
• Direct experience with government customers.

At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $130,800 - $189,900. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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.