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Salary: USD 165,900 - 207,400 / annual
Archer Technologies, headquartered in Silicon Valley, is a leader in advanced air mobility building an end-to-end platform delivering air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and aviation-related AI solutions for commercial aerospace and defense sectors.
The Certification Operations Manager serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Head of Product Certification, translating organizational priorities into actionable plans and leading a small team (~2 direct reports) responsible for program metrics, FAA/foreign-agency correspondence, and project records. This is an operations and program-management role, not a technical or certification-authority position.
Key responsibilities include:
- Serve as strategic extension of the Head of Product Certification, translating priorities into clear ownership, milestones, and measurable outcomes
- Establish and manage operating rhythms—leadership meetings, milestone reviews, action tracking—that keep the organization aligned and accountable
- Maintain visibility into top organizational priorities, risks, and decisions, elevating them appropriately
- Manage a small team responsible for certification program administration
- Own program metrics and dashboards reflecting real-time certification status, including certification basis progress, means-of-compliance status, and project milestones
- Manage official communication record between Archer and the FAA and applicable foreign certification authorities
- Maintain organized, audit-ready certification project file records and produce regular program-progress reporting
- Identify and remove organizational barriers—process, resource, or communication gaps—that slow execution
- Drive alignment between Product Certification and partners across Engineering, Flight Test, Safety, Program Management, and other functions
- Prepare executive-level briefings and ensure commitments from key meetings are tracked to completion
Requirements:
- 10+ years of progressive leadership, operations, or program management experience in complex, fast-moving organizations
- Demonstrated success as a Chief of Staff, senior operations leader, or program/organizational leader driving execution across multiple teams
- Experience managing a team and developing direct reports
- Experience building performance management systems, dashboards, and operating rhythms that drive measurable execution
- Strong track record resolving cross-functional barriers and influencing without direct authority
- Exceptional ability to organize complex work, synthesize information, and operate with sound judgment amid ambiguity
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive-presentation skills
- Willingness to travel between Archer locations as needed
Bonus qualifications:
- Experience with regulatory correspondence, records administration, or compliance documentation (e.g., FAA, EASA)
- Advanced degree in leadership, organizational development, business administration, or related field
