Lead Propulsion Systems Engineer – Special Programs

Archer•San Jose, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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 – Propulsion Technologies & Integration brings deep propulsion engineering expertise as their organic core competency — including hybrid turbofan-electric and turbo-generator architectures — for prototype vehicles and systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Propulsion Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
Demonstrated experience in aircraft propulsion design and analysis, including performance modeling and propulsion-airframe integration
Familiarity with hybrid-electric or turbo-generator propulsion architectures a plus
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 propulsion system design and analysis for prototype vehicles, including engine/motor sizing, performance modeling, BSFC and fuel-burn analysis, and propulsion-airframe integration
Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept sizing through detailed design, bench/ground test, and flight test support
Own the propulsion discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and analysis methods used across the program’s propulsion 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