Archer
Sr. Staff Program Manager, Defense Air Vehicle Integration
Archer, San Jose, California, United States, 95199
Sr. Staff Program Manager, Defense Air Vehicle Integration
San Jose, California, United States
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:
We are seeking an experienced Engineering Program Manager to lead engineering teams as part of Archer’s Defense Air Vehicle Integration Program. This role will be responsible for managing Archer’s defense vehicle integration including schedule and resource planning, risk management, systems integration, and production. The position requires understanding of complex product development programs and experience with various systems, technologies and suppliers in aerospace.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and oversee multiple parallel swimlanes from concept through product development phases to production
Manage cross‑functional teams including various engineering teams, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality
Develop and maintain program schedules, budgets, and risk management plans
Drive technical decisions and trade studies related to complex system design and manufacturing
Oversee supplier relationships and contracts for components and assembled deliverables
Ensure alignment between program objectives and overall company strategy
Technical Leadership:
Oversee integration with other aircraft systems
Lead technical reviews and design validation activities
Lead trade studies and trade discussions with stakeholder collaboration
Manage air vehicle functional and performance requirements
Drive air vehicle performance requirements validation and verification
Drive risk and opportunity management and cost reduction initiatives
Program Management:
Develop and track program metrics and KPIs
Manage program budgets and resource allocation
Create and maintain program documentation and reporting
Lead stakeholder communications and status updates
Run cross functional team meetings related to core team activities
Report regular status and give status presentations to senior level executives
What You Need:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
8+ years of program management experience in aerospace/aviation
Experience with air vehicle development programs
Knowledge of quality standards and processes
Strong proficiency in project management tools
Excellence in stakeholder management
Advanced problem‑solving and analytical abilities
Strong financial acumen and budget management
Expert‑level presentation and communication skills
Ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams
Manage multiple suppliers to meet quality, schedule and cost targets
Knowledge of aircraft systems integration
Bonus Qualifications:
Master’s degree in relevant field
PMP certification preferred
Experience with eVTOL or urban air mobility programs
Background in composites and manufacturing processes
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent who possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay‑for‑performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy.
For this position, we are targeting a base pay between $186,240 - $256,080.
Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as 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 people@archer.com. 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. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team. #J-18808-Ljbffr
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:
We are seeking an experienced Engineering Program Manager to lead engineering teams as part of Archer’s Defense Air Vehicle Integration Program. This role will be responsible for managing Archer’s defense vehicle integration including schedule and resource planning, risk management, systems integration, and production. The position requires understanding of complex product development programs and experience with various systems, technologies and suppliers in aerospace.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and oversee multiple parallel swimlanes from concept through product development phases to production
Manage cross‑functional teams including various engineering teams, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality
Develop and maintain program schedules, budgets, and risk management plans
Drive technical decisions and trade studies related to complex system design and manufacturing
Oversee supplier relationships and contracts for components and assembled deliverables
Ensure alignment between program objectives and overall company strategy
Technical Leadership:
Oversee integration with other aircraft systems
Lead technical reviews and design validation activities
Lead trade studies and trade discussions with stakeholder collaboration
Manage air vehicle functional and performance requirements
Drive air vehicle performance requirements validation and verification
Drive risk and opportunity management and cost reduction initiatives
Program Management:
Develop and track program metrics and KPIs
Manage program budgets and resource allocation
Create and maintain program documentation and reporting
Lead stakeholder communications and status updates
Run cross functional team meetings related to core team activities
Report regular status and give status presentations to senior level executives
What You Need:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
8+ years of program management experience in aerospace/aviation
Experience with air vehicle development programs
Knowledge of quality standards and processes
Strong proficiency in project management tools
Excellence in stakeholder management
Advanced problem‑solving and analytical abilities
Strong financial acumen and budget management
Expert‑level presentation and communication skills
Ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams
Manage multiple suppliers to meet quality, schedule and cost targets
Knowledge of aircraft systems integration
Bonus Qualifications:
Master’s degree in relevant field
PMP certification preferred
Experience with eVTOL or urban air mobility programs
Background in composites and manufacturing processes
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent who possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay‑for‑performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy.
For this position, we are targeting a base pay between $186,240 - $256,080.
Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as 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 people@archer.com. 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. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team. #J-18808-Ljbffr