Structures Architect — Conceptual Design

Engg; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Aviation seeks a Structures Architect to craft the conceptual airframe for a next-generation eVTOL, sizing fuselage, wings, tail, and nacelle. You will evaluate layouts, assess aeroelastic behavior, and partner with vehicle teams to define loads and margins.

You will leverage tools like ASWING, Python, and cross‑sectional analysis to deliver weight estimates and optimize manufacturability, packaging, and cost during concept development.

Qualifications

• Aircraft structural design background at conceptual or preliminary design level.
• Experience with aeroelastic analysis including flutter prediction.
• Familiarity with structural sizing methods and tools.
• Python programming for automation in sizing/analysis.
• Experience with parametric geometry tools (CATIA/NX/SolidWorks) or code-based options.
• Understanding of systems integration and packaging constraints.

Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual airframe architecture for fuselage, wing, tail, and nacelle.
• Size major structural components using classical methods and sectional analysis.
• Predict aeroelastic behavior including flutter using suitable tools.
• Define sizing cases with Vehicle Architect and loads scenarios.
• Trade layouts across configurations for weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Lead material selection between composites, metals, and hybrids.
• Assess packaging and volume across airframe with powertrain/vehicle teams.
• Generate structural weight estimates and track margins in concept phase.

Skills

Aeroelastic analysis

Structural sizing

Python programming

Parametric CAD

OpenVSP/CadQuery

Cross-sectional analysis

Material trade-offs

Tools

sectionproperties

ASWING

NeoCASS

OpenAeroStruct

pyNastran

SUAVE

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

OpenVSP

CadQuery

Job description

Archer is an aerospace and defense company headquartered in San Jose, California, building the aircraft and technology that will define the next era of flight. The company works across air taxis, UAS, AI and powertrain development - building real-world systems that combine software intelligence with physical hardware. That includes Midnight, Archer's all-electric air taxi; Halo, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft built for both commercial and defense use; and ZEE, Archer's AI foundation model built specifically for aviation. We’re seeking exceptional engineers, operators and builders to join us on our mission to build the future of aerospace and defense. 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.

THE ROLE

As Structures Architect, you will develop the conceptual-level airframe architecture for a next-generation eVTOL: laying out and sizing the major structural components, evaluating alternative layouts and materials, assessing packaging and volume, and predicting weight for candidate configurations in close coordination with the vehicle, powertrain, and aero architects.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Develop conceptual-level airframe architecture and parametric structural models for the fuselage, wing, tail, and nacelle structure, including layout of the wing, fuselage, tailboom/empennage, rotor/proprotor pylon mounts, and landing gear attachment.
• Size major structural components (spars, frames, longerons, skins, major fittings) using classical analytical methods, cross-sectional analysis tools such as sectionproperties, and conceptual FEM.
• Predict and assess aeroelastic behavior at the conceptual level - including flutter and whirl-flutter margins and structural modal characteristics - using tools such as ASWING or similar beam-based aeroelastic codes.
• Partner with the Vehicle Architect on loads and outer mold line (OML) definition; since structural sizing is ultimately driven by elastic, aeroelastic, and loads behavior, help identify the governing sizing cases (e.g., maneuver, gust, ground, fatigue) for each major structural element.
• Evaluate and trade alternative structural layouts across candidate configurations for weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Lead material selection trades for major structural elements - composite vs. metallic vs. hybrid construction - weighing weight, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Assess packaging and volume allocation across the airframe (battery/fuel volume, powertrain bay, payload bay, avionics bays) in coordination with the powertrain and vehicle architects.
• Generate structural weight estimates for candidate configurations and track weight margins through the concept phase.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Aircraft structural design background at the conceptual or preliminary design level; rotorcraft, tiltrotor, or eVTOL experience strongly preferred.
• Strong experience with aeroelastic analysis - including flutter and whirl-flutter prediction - and structural modal analysis.
• Structural sizing methods (classical beam/panel analysis, weight-estimation relationships / CERs); experience with the sectionproperties Python library or similar cross-sectional analysis tools a plus.
• Experience with conceptual/preliminary structural and aeroelastic sizing tools such as ASWING, NeoCASS, OpenAeroStruct, pyNastran, SUAVE, or similar.
• Working knowledge of composite and metallic airframe construction and their trade-offs.
• Strong Python programming experience for structural sizing and analysis automation.
• Experience generating parametric geometry for aircraft structure - via commercial parametric CAD (e.g., CATIA, NX, SolidWorks) or code-based parametric geometry tools (e.g., OpenVSP, CadQuery, custom scripting).
• Understanding of systems integration and packaging constraints in volume-constrained aircraft.
• Experience with certification-driven structural requirements for civil aircraft (e.g., crashworthiness, redundancy, occupant protection) a plus.

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 $152,800 - $227,600. Actual compensation offered will be determined by 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.