Lead Flight Controls & Software Engineer – Special Programs
Archer Aviation · USA
About this role
**Lead Flight Controls & Software Engineer – Special Programs** **About Archer** 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 AI solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across commercial aerospace and defense. Archer is committed to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces differences and supports and celebrates all team members. **About the Role** Special Programs is Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. You’ll be part of a small, empowered group that moves quickly across disciplines—from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development. As the **Lead Special Programs Engineer – Flight Controls & Software**, you’ll bring deep flight controls and software engineering expertise as your organic core competency, including: - Control law development - Flight dynamics - Embedded flight control and autopilot software for prototype vehicles --- ## What You’ll Do - Lead flight control law design and analysis for prototype vehicles (control law development, flight dynamics modeling, stability and control assessment) - Develop embedded flight control and autopilot software (architecture through implementation and flight test support) - Support rapid prototyping end-to-end (concept modeling and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop and flight test support) - Own the flight controls and software discipline within Special Programs (set technical approach, standards, and analysis/development methods) - Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities (evaluate viability of emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements and required approaches) - Contribute cross-functionally across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when needed - Collaborate with program leads, Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with timelines and constraints - Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages for design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions - Represent Special Programs work in internal reviews and, as needed, discussions with government stakeholders --- ## What You’ll Need - Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Controls, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (advanced degree a plus) - Demonstrated experience in flight control law development, flight dynamics, or stability and control analysis for aerospace platforms - Demonstrated experience developing embedded flight control or autopilot software - Familiarity with relevant control design, simulation, and embedded software development tools - Ability to work across the full development lifecycle (concept through prototype) in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment - Experience (or strong aptitude) evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts - Ability to operate as a generalist when needed—willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area - Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership (no direct-report support structure) - 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)
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