Staff Program Manager, Flight Test

Archer•San Jose, CA

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. What You’ll Do: We are seeking a seasoned Flight Test Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and certification of our flight test campaigns. This role acts as the critical link between the design engineering teams, the flight operations crew, and regulatory authorities. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of flight test vehicles, ensuring that development and certification testing is conducted safely and efficiently. The position requires a deep understanding of flight test operations and advanced organization, communication, and time management skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
7+ years of experience in flight test operations or flight test program management
Demonstrated experience with aircraft development programs (Part 23 or Part 25 certification preferred)
Deep understanding of FAA regulations, specifically 14 CFR Part 21 and flight test risk management (e.g., FAA Order 4040.26B)
Strong proficiency in scheduling tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera, or Smartsheet) and issue tracking (Jira)
Experience managing complex logistics, including aircraft maintenance and remote site operations

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Flight Test Engineering or Business Administration
Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) short course or full curriculum
Private Pilot License (PPL) or higher aviation certification
Experience with eVTOL, fly-by-wire systems, or high-voltage electric propulsion testing
Experience with telemetry control room operations and real-time monitoring tools

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and execution of flight test campaigns from initial ground runs and envelope expansion through final certification
Serve as the primary interface between the Flight Test organization and Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams
Develop, manage, and ensure compliance with flight test processes and procedures
Oversee the configuration control of test vehicles, ensuring aircraft configuration and conformity align with specific test requirements
Coordinate with the FAA and designated engineering representatives (DERs) to support Certification and Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) activities
Manage external test site logistics, including remote deployments, hangar facilities, and airspace coordination
Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for all flight test vehicles and assets
Manage program budgets for flight operations, including instrumentation, maintenance, telemetry infrastructure, and external range costs
Track and report flight test KPIs, such as sortie rates, test points efficiency, and aircraft availability
Lead daily stand-ups and weekly program reviews with cross-functional stakeholders
Identify critical path risks and implement recovery plans to mitigate schedule slips during testing delays
Facilitate communication between technical teams and executive leadership regarding test campaign progress, technical challenges, and shifting priorities