About the Role

Special Programs is Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. We operate as a small, empowered group capable of moving quickly across disciplines - from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development.

The Lead Special Programs Engineer - Flight Controls & Software brings deep flight controls and software engineering expertise as their organic core competency - control law development, flight dynamics, and the embedded flight control and autopilot software that implements them for prototype vehicles.

What You'll Do

Lead flight control law design and analysis for prototype vehicles, including control law development, flight dynamics modeling, and stability and control assessment
Lead development of embedded flight control and autopilot software, from architecture through implementation and flight test support
Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept modeling and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop test and flight test support
Own the flight controls and software discipline within Special Programs - setting technical approach, standards, and analysis/development methods used across the program's flight controls and software work
Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities - evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require
Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it
Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints
Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions
Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders

What You'll Need

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Controls, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
Demonstrated experience in flight control law development, flight dynamics, or stability and control analysis for aerospace platforms
Demonstrated experience developing embedded flight control or autopilot software
Familiarity with relevant control design, simulation, and embedded software development tools
Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle - concept through prototype - in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements
Comfort operating as a generalist when needed - willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs
Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure
8-12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't a seat on Archer's core flight controls & software team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it - from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. You'll have significant technical ownership and autonomy, working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archer's most forward-looking defense efforts.

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 $138,200 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer Aviation Inc.

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Lead Flight Controls & Software Engineer - Special Programs