Manager, Manufacturing Design Engineering Electric Motor

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 were scaling production of our High Voltage Electric Propulsion System the heart of our eVTOL aircraft which includes the High Voltage Battery Electric Motor and Propeller assemblies and represents one of the most technically demanding highly automated manufacturing systems in our factory.

Were seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) Manager to lead the Electric Motor/Drive Unit manufacturing team. This role sits on the Manufacturing Design Engineering group and owns the specification design launch and ramp of advanced powertrain manufacturing equipment in a high-volume production environment.

Youll be hands-on deeply technical and accountable for solving complex manufacturing problemsoften under real schedule pressure.

What Youll Do:

• Lead & Scale the Team: Direct a high-performing MDE team responsible for Electric Motor/Drive Unit production lines; own hiring career development and resource planning.
• Capital Equipment Ownership: Own end-to-end equipment execution from RFQ and design specs through FAT SAT commissioning and ramp up managing capex budgets and executive approvals.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Partner closely with Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering to drive DFM feedback into early-stage designs and optimize products for automated assembly.
• Integrator & Supplier Management: Lead relationships with custom equipment builders and key automation suppliers in close collaboration with Global Supply Chain.
• Executive Communication: Present program status capital spend forecasts and capacity models to executive leadership adapting quickly to evolving enterprise schedules.
• Production Capacity Planning: Ensure manufacturing equipment meets throughput yield and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) targets to satisfy present and future delivery schedules.

What You Need:

• Education & Experience: B.S. in Mechanical Electrical Mechatronics or Robotics Engineering (or equivalent) with 2 years of technical management and 5 years in high-volume automated manufacturing (EV Aerospace or Semiconductor preferred).
• Technical Domain Expertise: Deep core expertise in at least one key drive unit subsystemStator Rotor Inverter Gearbox or Actuatorsalongside strong knowledge of automated assembly processes.
• Equipment & Automation Mastery: Hands-on experience developing specifications for PLCs industrial robotics (Fanuc Kuka ABB) vision systems dispense systems torque tools and human/machine safety devices.
• Financial & Project Acumen: Proven experience in capex budgeting vendor RFQ management line balancing layout design (AutoCAD/NX) and executing FAT/SAT protocols.
• Problem-Solving & Quality Systems: Mastery of structured root-cause methodologies (DMAIC 8D 5-Why) alongside practical application of GD&T SPC and PFMEAs.
• Software Competency: Proficiency using 3D CAD (Siemens NX preferred) PLM (Teamcenter) MES and ERP platforms to manage factory designs and product lifecycle data.
• Leadership Mindset: Clear communicator with a high-ownership bias-for-action attitude capable of thriving in a fast-paced hardware development environment.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Advanced Automation Controls: Direct programming or architecture experience with PLC platforms (Siemens Beckhoff Allen-Bradley) and complex MES integrations.
• Regulatory & Safety Standards: Strong working knowledge of electrical and industrial safety codes including NFPA 79 NEC UL508A ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA regulations.
• Advanced DFM/DFA: Experience taking complex electromagnetic assemblies from initial NPI prototype builds through full-scale automated line qualification.

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 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 Companys business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $152100 - $190100. 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 Archers People Team at Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.