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Archer Technologies is building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for sustainable air mobility. The Manager, Equipment Build leads the Production Realization Lab, overseeing both the prototype fabrication shop and custom test equipment build team. This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of engineering, test execution, supply chain, and shop operations.
Prototype Fabrication Shop Responsibilities:
- Oversee day-to-day operations of a high-mix, low-rate prototype shop producing structural components, weldments, and complex sheet metal assemblies for rapid development aircraft programs.
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of fabricators and welders, providing hands-on technical guidance and performance coaching.
- Own job prioritization, capacity planning, and throughput to meet aggressive program schedules across multiple concurrent engineering requests.
- Develop and maintain critical shop documentation, including work instructions, setup sheets, traveler documents, and inspection checklists.
- Drive quality and first-article acceptance of fabricated parts through in-process inspection and strict adherence to engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.
- Ensure total shop safety compliance, leading a culture where safety and regulatory standards are completely non-negotiable.
Test Equipment Build Responsibilities:
- Lead a team of technicians executing the hands-on assembly, integration, and commissioning of custom mechanical test equipment (e.g., dynamometers, propulsion stands, structural rigs).
- Oversee the integration of complex mechanical assemblies, plumbing, wiring harnesses, sensors, and instrumentation into commission-ready test fixtures.
- Manage build schedules, technical problem-solving, and coordination with engineering teams to ensure test equipment readiness.
The ideal candidate has deep fabrication expertise, strong design-for-manufacturability (DFM) instincts, and a proven track record of guiding technicians through complex mechanical builds in fast-paced development environments. This role requires hands-on technical leadership, supply chain coordination, and the ability to scale operations as the company grows.
