Staff Equipment Design Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><p>Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p></div><p><strong>About The Team</strong></p> <p>At Archer’s Production Realization Lab, we build the electromechanical infrastructure that makes flight possible. From megawatt-scale dynamometers, complex electrical test stands to bespoke mechanical test equipment from concept to reality.</p> <p>We are seeking a <strong>Staff Equipment Design Engineer</strong> to focus on the end-to-end design of specialized hardware for testing aircraft structural integrity and propulsion components. This isn't a "follow the manual" role. You’ll be designing mechanical test equipment from a blank sheet of paper to functional hardware, partnering closely with controls and electrical teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible.</p> <p><strong>What You’ll Do:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>End-to-End Ownership</strong>: Lead the development of aircraft subsystem test equipment from initial concept to customer acceptance</li> <li><strong>Systems Integration & Collaboration</strong>: Partner cross-functionally with Electrical and Controls Engineering to define equipment architecture and design</li> <li><strong>Technical Rigor & Analysis</strong>: Execute high-level engineering analyses, including DFMEA and worst-case tolerance stacks, to ensure robust mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic designs that meet safety and reliability standards</li> <li><strong>Project Leadership & Strategy</strong>: Manage project scope, budgets, and aggressive timelines, serving as the primary technical point of contact for stakeholders while translating high-level functional requirements into actionable technical specifications</li> <li><strong>Design Governance</strong>: Spearhead formal design reviews to ensure equipment exceeds performance expectations, and oversee the creation of comprehensive documentation packages, including training manuals and installation guides</li> <li><strong>Technical Oversight & Commissioning</strong>: Provide expert mechanical support during equipment build and bring-up cycles, directing assembly technicians and troubleshooting complex hardware issues through to final site acceptance testing (SAT)</li> </ul> <p><strong>What You Need:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Education</strong>: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering (Master’s preferred) or equivalent</li> <li><strong>Experience</strong>: 7+ years of progressive experience in specialized test equipment or complex machine design</li> <li><strong>Technical</strong>: Expert-level proficiency in <strong>3D CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX)</strong> and <strong>GD&T</strong>, with a proven track record of managing large, complex assemblies and generating high-fidelity manufacturing documentation</li> <li><strong>Advanced Engineeri