Sr. Propulsion Electrical Systems Engineer

In the Sr. Electric Engine Systems Engineer role, you will drive the Airborne Electronic Hardware (AEH) systems lifecycle for Archer’s electric propulsion units (EPU). This position bridges the gap between detailed power electronics design and aircraft-level certification. You will be responsible for defining requirements, managing the DO-254 compliance process, and executing rigorous verification and validation (V&V) campaigns for high-voltage inverters and motor control hardware. Your work ensures that our electric engines meet the stringent safety factors, environmental durability, and functional performance required for Part 33/Part 23 certification.

What You’ll Do:

• Requirements & Architecture:
• Partner with hardware designers to decompose aircraft-level functions into verifiable hardware requirements for inverters, gate drivers, and motor control logic.
• Manage requirements traceability using Polarion or DOORS, ensuring full coverage for safety-critical functions.
• Define robust hardware-to-software and hardware-to-mechanical interface control documents (ICDs).
• Process & Certification:
• Generate and maintain AEH certification artifacts as required by DO-254 (Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification, Hardware Design Plan, Hardware Accomplishment Summary).
• Coordinate with Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) to review compliance data and substantiate design assurance levels (DAL A/B).
• Lead critical design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure design decisions are justified via analysis and documented for certification.

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in hardware systems engineering, V&V, or AEH qualification in aerospace or similarly regulated industries (automotive ISO 26262).
• Deep technical understanding of power electronics, PMAC motor control, and inverter topologies.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing environmental and functional testing (DO-160, MIL-STD-810, or automotive equivalents).
• Proficiency with requirements management tools (Polarion, DOORS, Jama).
• Strong knowledge of DO-254 design assurance lifecycles and structured verification methodologies.
• Ability to interpret complex circuit schematics and perform root cause analysis on test failures.
• Excellent technical communication skills for interfacing with regulatory authorities and cross-functional design teams.

Bonus Qualifications

• Direct experience certifying Engines under 14 CFR Part 33.
• Experience setting up or operating high-power dynamometers and HIL test benches.
• Knowledge of SAE ARP4754A (Systems Development) and ARP4761 (Safety Assessment/FMEA/FTA).

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 $140,000 - $195,000. 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.