Airframe Design Lead, Fuselage
@ ArcherAirframe Design Lead, Fuselage
This job is still taking applications, but it's been up a while.
About the job
Archer is an aerospace firm in San Jose creating all-electric VTOL aircraft to promote sustainable air mobility. The role focuses on leading airframe design, collaborating with teams, and ensuring certification and manufacturing success.
Requirements
- 10+ years lightweight structures experience
- Bachelor's in Engineering
- CAD skills in NX, Solidworks, Catia, Creo
- Knowledge of load paths and laminate design
- Experience with composites and manufacturing
Qualifications
- Able to design and analyze components
- Experience with bonded structures
- Knowledge of FAA Part 23
- Self-starter and team player
- Fast-paced environment adaptability
Full 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.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the development of major structural airframe assemblies from preliminary design through certification, and manufacturing ramp up
- Apply in depth understanding of load paths, design best practices, and hand calcs to design robust structural configurations
- Apply design for manufacturing concepts to create designs that are cost effective and easy to fabricate at rate. Preferred experience with composite sandwich construction and adhesive paste bonding
- Develop company standards for composite and metallic part CAD models and drawings
- Work closely with and mentor other engineers on the design, stress and M&P teams
- Provide technical guidance on design concepts (risk vs. cost vs. performance)
- Support manufacturing to validate and verify that designs meet requirements and specifications
What you need:
- 10+ years of experience with lightweight structures (aircraft, spacecraft, other high performance vehicles)
- Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field
- Ability to design and analyze simple components
- A deep understanding of load paths and laminate design fundamentals
- Strong CAD skills in NX (preferred), Solidworks, Catia or Creo
- Experience with the design of
- Large bonded structures
- Sandwich construction
- Hand laid prepreg carbon fiber
- Machined metal
- Experience with the manufacturing of composite parts
- Knowledge of FAA aircraft certification requirements for Part 23 aircraft
- Familiarity with PDM systems
- Self-starter, team player, and desire to work in a fast-paced environment
Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience with analyzing and dispositioning product non-conformances
- Experience with the design of small passenger aircraft or helicopters
- Broad experience across a range of airframe structures (fuselage, wing, pylons, empennage)
- Experience with composite laminate definition in FiberSim
At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. For this position we are offering $172,800 - $216,000 per year.
Archer is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.
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 people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.