Senior Flight Test Data Engineer, Loads
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. As a Senior Flight Test Loads Data Engineer, you'll sit at the intersection of aircraft loads analysis and flight test operations — designing and operating the systems that capture, process, and validate loads data from our aircraft, and turning that data into actionable structural insights that drive certification and design decisions.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in flight test loads, structural test, or loads and dynamics engineering on aircraft, spacecraft, or advanced air mobility platforms
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering field (M.S. preferred)
- Hands-on experience with flight test data acquisition systems — hardware configuration, sensor integration, signal conditioning, and telemetry
- Proficiency developing loads equations and deriving structural loads from flight measurements (strain-gauge bridges, shear panels, accelerometers)
- Strong scripting and data analysis skills in Python and/or MATLAB, including automated data processing pipelines and visualization
- Experience with loads and fatigue spectrum development from measured flight data
- Working knowledge of structural analysis methods — classical hand calculations and/or FEA — sufficient to interpret and validate loads results
- Familiarity with fatigue and damage tolerance concepts (spectra development, AFGROW/NASGRO, NDE methods)
- Ability to manage multiple test campaigns simultaneously and communicate technical results clearly across disciplines
Nice To Haves
- Experience with FAA certification under Part 23 or Part 27, including loads substantiation documentation
- Experience with RCAS, CAMRADII or similar rotorcraft comprehensive analysis.
- Proficiency with FEA codes such as Nastran, Optistruct, Ansys, or Abaqus
- Familiarity with classical aerospace sizing references (Bruhn, Niu, Roark)
- Background in signal processing, filtering, or time-frequency analysis of structural response data
- Experience with database tools or cloud data infrastructure for large-scale test data management
Responsibilities
- Design, configure, and maintain flight test data acquisition system (DAS) software for structural loads measurements, including strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, and inertial sensors
- Develop and validate loads equations and transfer functions to derive internal structural loads from measured flight data
- Plan and execute loads survey flight test programs in coordination with flight test engineers and structural analysts
- Process, reduce, and quality-check large flight test datasets; identify anomalies and ensure data integrity across test campaigns
- Build and maintain automated data pipelines and analysis tools to accelerate loads extraction, fatigue spectrum development, and design loads validation
- Develop fatigue and loads spectra for powertrain and airframe components using flight-measured data
- Compare flight test loads data against analytical models; drive model updates and structural dispositions
- Support stress and damage tolerance analysis of primary and secondary structure using test-derived loads
- Compile test reports and loads documentation to support engineering drawing releases and FAA certification deliverables
- Provide technical guidance on instrumentation strategy, sensor selection, and data quality trade-offs across programs
Benefits
- pay-for-performance culture
- reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy
- reasonable accommodations for job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs
- Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
