Staff Manufacturing Design Engineer, Standards and Methods
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.About The Role:At Archer, we are scaling production of Midnight 1.0 while simultaneously developing the next-generation Midnight 1.1 platform. As a member of the Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) team, you will bridge the gap between aircraft design and high-rate production through the rigorous standardization of manufacturing processes.In this role, you will unify methods and standards across the organization, consolidating complex processes into a central, version-controlled knowledge base. Working cross-functionally with Design, Quality, Supply Chain, and Certification teams, you will define and scale the manufacturing solutions required to bring the future of flight to market.What You'll Do:Develop, document, and maintain standardized manufacturing engineering methods and best practices across the Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) organizationDefine common frameworks for manufacturing planning, process definition, work instruction structure, and build readiness across development, certification, and production phasesLead the definition of facility planning standards, including space allocation, line layouts, material flow, aisleways, egress, and infrastructure requirementsDefine and standardize tooling and ground support equipment (GSE) requirements, including classification, readiness criteria, and integration into manufacturing plansDevelop standardized approaches for test and functional test equipment, ensuring alignment with build sequencing, quality, and certification requirementsPartner closely with MDE functional teams, Industrialization, Quality, Facilities, and Operations to ensure standards are practical, scalable, and aligned with execution realitiesSupport governance of standards adoption, identify gaps through build feedback, and drive continuous improvement based on data and lessons learnedAct as a technical resource and mentor for MDE engineers, enabling consistent execution across programs and teamsWhat You Need:Bachelor's or advanced degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field10+ years of experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering or a similarly complex, regulated environmentDeep hands-on experience with manufacturing planning, process definition, work instructions, tooling, and production supportProven ability to define and implement standardized engineering methods across multiple teams or programsStrong systems thinking and documentation skills, with the ability to translate complex operations into clear, repeatable standardsExcellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience influencing without direct authorityFamiliarity with FAA certification considerations and their impact on manufacturing processesBonus Qualifications:NX ExperienceTeamcenter ExperienceSAP ExperienceExperience building manufacturing standards in a scaling organizationeVTOL or Advanced Air Mobility ExperiencePlease note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $152,100-$190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening.Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.