Manager, Motor Mechanical

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:
As the motor mechanical design lead on our Electric Propulsion Team youll be at the forefront of solving complex challenges that directly impact the performance safety and evolution of Archers cutting-edge electric aviation this role youll be leading the team that serves as the bridge between electromagnetic theory and physical reality applying advanced mechanical engineering principles to turn analytical models into robust high-performance electric motors.

What Youll Do:

• Team Leadership & Project Execution
• Manage mentor and grow a high-performing team of mechanical design engineers fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Track project priorities allocate team resources and manage engineering timelines to ensure critical motor development milestones are met on schedule.
• Conduct regular 1:1s manage performance reviews and guide the professional development of your team members.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for the motor mechanical design teams deliverables during program-level planning and status meetings.
• Technical Direction & Design Oversight
• Direct the detailed mechanical design of stator and rotor assemblies ensuring the team meets strict structural integrity weight and thermal performance requirements.
• Lead comprehensive design reviews providing final sign-off on CAD models technical drawings GD&T and engineering specifications.
• Oversee the development of critical sub-systems such as lightweight high-speed rotor assemblies and high-voltage insulation systems.
• Analysis Validation & Problem Solving
• Guide the teams collaboration with the CAE group to define finite element analysis (FEA) strategies that verify strength dynamic and fatigue requirements.
• Oversee your teams participation in development testing ensuring thermal predictions and durability requirements are validated against physical data.
• Lead the triaging root cause analysis and resolution of complex critical issues discovered during the design manufacturing testing and development cycles.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with electromagnetic and thermal leadership to ensure analytical models are successfully translated into functioning manufacturable parts.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering quality and supply chain teams to ensure DFM (design for manufacturing) feedback is implemented and components meet rigorous aviation standards at scale.
• Coordinate with the broader electric propulsion leadership to drive the seamless mechanical integration of motor components into the main engine assembly.

What You Need:

• Education & Experience
• Bachelors or Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in the mechanical design of electric machines (motors/generators) with at least 2 years of direct people management or formal team leadership experience.
• Deep understanding of electric motor construction including lamination stacks winding techniques magnet retention and insulation materials.
• Project Management & Leadership Skills
• Proven ability to manage engineering priorities track project schedules and drive complex hardware development cycles from concept to production.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple overlapping priorities for both yourself and your team.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills to influence executive decision-making and translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Technical Expertise
• Expert-level understanding of 3D CAD modeling (NX preferred) and 2D drawing creation/review with advanced GD&T.
• Strong knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes relevant to electric motors (e.g. wire forming injection molding potting shrink fits laser welding).
• Experience with thermal management and structural analysis of rotating machinery.
• Familiarity with the physics of electric motor operation including performance determinants and losses.
• Additional Requirements
• Availability for domestic travel as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality in engineering practices.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Aerospace development and certification experience (FAA/EASA).
• Experience with high-speed rotor dynamics and balancing.
• Familiarity with hardware project management tools (e.g. Jira MS Project Smartsheet).
• Familiarity with FEA software packages (ANSYS NASTRAN) for structural and thermal analysis.

At Archer we reward exceptional performance that supports our business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base salary range of $175000 - $225000 with final compensation determined by your unique combination of job-related knowledge skills and experience. Join our team and help revolutionize urban transportation through innovative electric aviation technology.

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.

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.