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Salary: USD 138,200 - 190,100 / annual
Archer Technologies is building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for sustainable air mobility. The Lead Autonomy Engineer – Special Programs role is part of Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts.
In this role, you will lead autonomy stack design and development for prototype vehicles, owning the perception, planning, and autonomy-stack software that enables reduced human intervention. You'll support rapid prototyping end-to-end, from concept algorithms and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop and flight testing. You will set technical approach, standards, and development methods for autonomy work across the Special Programs team.
Key responsibilities include conducting technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities and emerging concepts, serving as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts, and collaborating with program leads and broader Archer engineering teams. You'll produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting design reviews and opportunity decisions. You may represent Special Programs work in internal reviews and discussions with government stakeholders.
You'll need 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience developing autonomy software for aerospace, robotics, or defense platforms. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field is required (advanced degree preferred). You must be comfortable working independently with significant technical ownership, operating as a generalist when needed, and evaluating early-stage concepts in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment. Familiarity with autonomy frameworks, simulation environments, and flight test support is essential.
U.S. Person status (citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) is required due to ITAR/EAR regulations, and you must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
