Director of Flight Software & Algorithms

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

The Director of Flight Software & Algorithms will lead the teams responsible for developing the core flight software guidance/navigation/control (GNC) algorithms autonomy capabilities and safetycritical onboard systems that power Archers aircraft. This leader will drive technical strategy execution and crossfunctional alignment across software avionics systems engineering and flight test.

This role requires deep technical expertise in flightcritical software and control algorithms strong leadership experience and the ability to scale highperforming engineering teams in a fastpaced environment.

What Youll Do

• Lead and grow the Flight Software and Algorithms organization including embedded software GNC autonomy and simulation teams.
• Own the architecture development integration and validation of all flightcritical and safetycritical software.
• Oversee development of realtime embedded software for flight computers motor controllers sensors and avionics systems.
• Drive the design and implementation of GNC algorithms state estimation fault detection and flightcontrol logic.
• Partner closely with Systems Engineering Avionics Flight Controls and Flight Test to ensure seamless integration and aircraftlevel performance.
• Establish software development processes aligned with DO178C ARP4754A and other relevant certification standards.
• Define longterm technical strategy for autonomy advanced control systems and nextgeneration flight software architectures.
• Ensure robust simulation modeling and hardwareintheloop (HIL) environments to support rapid iteration and validation.
• Build a culture of technical excellence accountability and continuous improvement.
• Represent the organization in design reviews certification discussions and executivelevel program updates.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science Aerospace Engineering Electrical Engineering Robotics or related field.
• 12 years of experience in flight software embedded systems GNC or autonomy for aerospace or robotics systems.
• 5 years of engineering leadership experience managing managers and senior technical leaders.
• Proven experience delivering safetycritical or realtime embedded software for aircraft spacecraft or autonomous vehicles.
• Deep understanding of control theory estimation navigation and flightcontrol algorithms.
• Strong familiarity with DO178C ARP4754A and safetycritical development processes.
• Demonstrated ability to scale teams set technical direction and drive execution in a fastmoving environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with eVTOL electric propulsion or novel aircraft configurations.
• Background in autonomy advanced perception or AIenabled control systems.
• Experience with hardwareintheloop testing simulation frameworks and realtime operating systems (RTOS).
• Prior involvement in aircraft certification programs.
• Strong crossfunctional leadership skills and ability to influence at all levels.

What We Look For

• Passion for aviation and sustainable transportation.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and build structure where needed.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative leadership style

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 Archers People Team at. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Please 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 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 Companys business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $250000 - $330000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge skills and 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 accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archers People Team at 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 Archers 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.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer please reach out to. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.