Lead Autonomy Engineer – Special Programs

Archer•San Jose, CA

1d•$138,200 - $190,100•Onsite

About The Position

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 – Autonomy Integration brings deep autonomy engineering expertise as their organic core competency — the perception, planning, and autonomy-stack software that lets prototype vehicles operate with reduced human intervention.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace, or a related field (advanced degree a plus)
Demonstrated experience developing autonomy software — perception, planning, or decision-making stacks — for aerospace, robotics, or defense platforms
Familiarity with relevant autonomy frameworks, simulation environments, and flight test support for autonomous systems
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

Responsibilities

Lead autonomy stack design and development for prototype vehicles, including perception, planning, and autonomy software architecture
Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept algorithms and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop test and flight test support
Own the autonomy discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and development methods used across the program’s autonomy 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