Electrical Lead, Power Architecture

Archer Aviation • San Jose, CA

85d • $163,200 - $204,000

About The Position

In this role, you will lead the design and architecture of high-voltage (HV) propulsion inverter and generator systems, focusing on semiconductor topology, switching control, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and thermal performance. You will also architect the low-voltage (LV) electrical system, which includes DC/DC converters, power distribution, auxiliary loads, grounding, and redundancy. Your contributions will extend to architecture definition, trade studies, and managing system-level electrical requirements and interfaces across HV and LV domains. Collaboration with battery, motor, avionics, software, and thermal teams will be essential to ensure an integrated and reliable system design. You will drive component selection, supplier evaluation, and validation planning for power electronics and distribution systems. Additionally, you will oversee simulation, modeling, and analysis activities using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, and SPICE to assess system behavior, loss estimation, and transient response. Developing and executing validation strategies, including module bring-up, EMC compliance, thermal testing, and integrated testing, will be part of your responsibilities. You will also support functional safety analysis and documentation, maintaining technical documentation and leading design reviews across project milestones.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in power system design for EV, aerospace, or similar high-reliability applications.
• Strong background in HV inverter and converter design (400V-1000V+).
• Experience in LV system architecture and power distribution.
• Integration experience of motors, generators, and control systems.
• Proficiency in system simulation, schematic capture, and hardware validation.
• Experience with wide-bandgap devices (SiC, GaN) and modern digital control platforms (MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs).
• Systems-level thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Strong technical communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional efforts and mentor junior engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Development experience for eVTOL or aerospace-grade electrical systems.
• PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with certification and compliance standards: DO-160, DO-254, or ARP4754.
• Experience with Qualification Test Procedures.
• Passion for aviation and eVTOLs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of HV propulsion inverter and generator systems.
• Architect the LV electrical system, including DC/DC converters and power distribution.
• Contribute to architecture definition and trade studies.
• Collaborate with battery, motor, avionics, software, and thermal teams.
• Drive component selection and supplier evaluation.
• Oversee simulation, modeling, and analysis activities.
• Develop and execute validation strategies.
• Support functional safety analysis and documentation.
• Maintain technical documentation and lead design reviews.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and skills.
• Pay-for-performance culture.
• Commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees