Archer Aviation

Flight Test Engineer

Archer Aviation · Salinas, California, United States
Salinas, California, United States $96K–$120K Posted 2026-09-16
Salary
$96K–$120K
Type
Full-time

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.

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:

  • Assist in the preparation of Development, Company, and FAA Certification Ground and Flight test plans
  • Contribute to the preparation of test cards
  • Interface with engineers, maintainers, technicians, and program management to accomplish test objectives safely and efficiently
  • Contribute to the production of Company/Certification reports
  • Prepare material in support of test readiness reviews
  • Provide support for test events as a flight test engineer and/or test conductor on-board the aircraft and in the control room
  • Participate in flight briefs and debriefs for test events
  • Participate in test setup (flight line) activities
  • Report and communicate test results to the Flight Test and Engineering teams
  • Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process
  • Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with the appropriate engineering disciplines
  • Participate in safety review board (SRB) meetings

What you need:

  • Bachelors or higher degree in Aerospace or Mechanical engineering from an ABET accredited institution
  • Must be willing to travel 25% of the time within 100 miles of the SF Bay Area
  • A collaborative attitude and a meticulous attention to detail
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficient with data analysis tools, e.g. Matlab, Python, etc.
  • Able to obtain and maintain a FAA Class 3 medical certificate issued through a FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

Bonus Qualifications:

  • FAA pilot certificate
  • Hands-on experience with test assets in a lab or other environment

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 $96,300 - $120,400. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as 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  [email protected] . 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 .

Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

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  [email protected] . All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.

Python
$110K — 10th pctl $265K — 90th pctl
This role’s midpoint $108K vs. market median $180K for Engineering roles
-40%
below median
Based on 24,000+ Engineering roles with disclosed salary ranges tracked on NewJob.
Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation

Aviation · Public · San Jose, USA

Stage & Valuation
Public · $3.9B
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Engineering (77) · Operations (20) · BizOps (10)
Archer Aviation designs and develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. The company focuses on creating sustainable air mobility solutions, including air taxi operations.
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