Staff Propulsion Controls Engineer - Hybrid/Generator Systems

What you'll do:

We are seeking a highly skilled Propulsion Controls Engineer to design, develop, and optimize control systems for our advanced electric propulsion and power generation systems. The successful candidate will play a critical role in bringing safe, sustainable, and scalable urban air mobility to life through innovative propulsion control technologies.

• Design and implement advanced control algorithms for electric propulsion systems
• Develop interfaces between flight control computers, propulsion controls, generators, and battery management systems
• Coordinate with aerodynamics, structures, and flight controls teams to optimize propulsion system performance
• Create and maintain control system architectures, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments
• Design redundant fault detection, isolation, and recovery systems for safe flight operations
• Conduct system-level testing and validation of control algorithms
• Perform hardware-in-the-loop and iron-bird testing for flight-critical systems
• Support flight testing activities and data analysis for control system validation
• Collaborate with flight test team to validate propulsion performance across flight envelope
• Ensure compliance with DO-178C (software), DO-254 (hardware), and other applicable aviation standards
• Maintain rigorous configuration management of flight-critical control system software

What you need:

• 7+ years of experience in aircraft propulsion systems, flight controls, electric vehicle powertrains, or energy storage systems
• Experience with distributed propulsion systems or multi-motor control architectures preferred
• Background in flight-critical or safety-critical system development
• Expert-level proficiency in control integration, state machine design, high-voltage systems, and fault-tolerant control
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++ for real-time embedded control systems, and Python for analysis
• Advanced system modeling, control system simulation, and plant model development experience
• Knowledge of battery management systems and high-voltage safety
• Experience with system hardware bring-up, HIL testing, and integration

Personal Attributes

• Passion for sustainable aviation and urban air mobility
• Strong systems thinking and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams
• Exceptional attention to detail with focus on flight safety
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environment
• Strong communication skills for technical presentations and documentation
• Self-motivated with ability to drive projects to completion
• Commitment to Archer's mission of safe, sustainable urban aviation

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 $134,400.00 - $168,000.00. 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.