Design Lead, Airframe Jobs

Archer Aviation

Location:
United States, San Jose

Category:
Research and Development

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

Not provided

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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. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Design Lead for our Airframe team. Accountable to the Airframe IPT Lead, the Design Lead will be responsible for the development and delivery of specific airframe hardware elements, providing technical oversight, supporting collaboration efforts, and managing execution of their assigned work package. This role will focus on a major subassembly of the airframe from concept through production, ensuring compliance with design, performance requirements, and regulatory standards.

Job Responsibility:

Technical Execution: Develop assigned airframe hardware elements from concept through to production, defining the technical approach for your work package, establishing design parameters, managing the development process, and resolving technical challenges within your scope
Team Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate and coordinate with the IPT Lead and other Design Leads, as well as interfacing with other program teams (e.g., avionics, propulsion) to ensure seamless integration of your hardware element through regular meetings, status updates, and information sharing
Requirements Management and Systems Engineering Support: Work closely with the IPT Lead and Systems Engineering team to ensure appropriate requirements are allocated to your hardware elements. This includes participating in requirements reviews, clarifying technical specifications, and ensuring traceability between system-level requirements and your work package design
Task Planning and Execution: Break down work package objectives into actionable tasks, identifying specific activities, estimating effort and duration, coordinating resources, and developing detailed work plans to support the IPT Lead and Project Manager in effective project planning, execution, monitoring, and control

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
7+ years of experience in airframe design and development
Strong first-principles approach to the design and implementation of efficient load paths
Demonstrated experience contributing to technical projects and hardware development efforts
Familiarity with aircraft certification processes (Part 23, Part 25, or Part 27)
Understanding of composite airframe structures, materials, and manufacturing processes
Proficiency with CAD software (NX Preferred)
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Nice to have:

Master's degree in a related field
Experience with eVTOL, rotorcraft, or urban air mobility systems
Knowledge of electric aircraft systems and integration challenges
Experience supporting certification of novel aircraft configurations
Previous experience working within an Integrated Product Team structure

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
December 06, 2025

Employment Type:

Fulltime

Work Type:

On-site work

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Design Lead, Airframe