Staff Technical Program Manager

Company: Archer
Location: San Jose
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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. What you’ll do: Candidates will join the team responsible for the management of the Archer Defense portfolio; responsible for incubating new concepts, market solutions, lead capture efforts, and executing programs across technical, cost, and schedule baselines. Candidates will serve as the primary lead for the Archer Defense Air Force contracts, ensuring all deliverables, compliance standards, and customer requirements are met. Partner effectively across the broader OEM organization to align resources, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities, ensuring the successful enablement and delivery of defense-specific programs. Candidates approach new challenges with curiosity rather than hesitation, and are eager to step outside their defined scope to solve problems and drive the business forward. Ideal candidates have a demonstrated ability to navigate complex, undefined environments and pivot quickly as program requirements evolve. They are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information. What you need: 6-12 years experience in the aerospace or related field. Candidates will possess as a minimum BS engineering, computer science, physics, or math degree; MS or PhD desired. Experience with numerous modeling and simulation environments, design, analysis, fabrication, and test, knowledge of domestic and international threat systems. Knowledge of RF, EOIR, acoustic, mission systems, sensors, communications Candidates should have experience leading and working across all engineering, manufacturing, and business disciplines. Technical understanding of dynamic and propulsion (electric, hybrid, and gas turbine) systems Software capabilities: CAD, Python, MATLAB, Jira, Smartsheets Familiarity with EAR (15 CFR Parts 730-774); ITAR (22 CFR Parts 120-130) Candidates must be a US citizen, and possess or have the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance. Bonus Qualifications: Model Based Systems Engineering, SysML, DoDAF. Direct experience with government customers. At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $130,800 - $189,900. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 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. 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 People@archer.com . All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.

Keywords: Archer, West Sacramento , Staff Technical Program Manager, Engineering , San Jose, California