SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 242,800 - 322,100 / annual
Archer Technologies is building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to carry four passengers with minimal noise, advancing sustainable air mobility. As Principal Airframe Architect, you will lead the complete airframe development lifecycle from concept through build and flight test, working closely with the Chief Engineer and program leadership to meet performance targets.
Key responsibilities include: leading airframe development strategy and execution; evaluating and trading structural layouts and material selections across candidate configurations for weight, manufacturability, and cost optimization; developing conceptual airframe architecture and parametric structural weight models for fuselage, wing, tail, and nacelle structures; sizing major structural components using classical analytical methods and conceptual finite element modeling; applying deep understanding of load paths, design best practices, and hand calculations to create robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective structural configurations; mentoring junior engineers on design, analysis, and manufacturing techniques; and owning validation and verification of airframe requirements.
You will need 15+ years of experience with innovative aircraft structures, including recent leadership within a civil or military aircraft development program. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; in-depth understanding of load paths, laminate design, metallic design fundamentals, and analysis methods (FEA, sandwich panel stability, lug and fastener calculations); broad experience across airframe structures (fuselage, wing, pylons, empennage); strong CAD skills (NX preferred, or Solidworks, Catia, Creo); hands-on manufacturing experience with composites (wet-lay, prepreg, autoclave, bonding, drilling/fastening) and metallic machining (milling, lathe, drilling); experience analyzing and dispositioning non-conformances; and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
