Lead Engineer, Advanced Behaviors & Algorithms – Special Programs

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. About the Role Special Programs is Archer's rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. We operate as a small, empowered group capable of moving quickly across disciplines — from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development. The Lead Special Programs Engineer – Advanced Behaviors & Algorithms brings deep expertise in advanced vehicle and mission behaviors as their organic core competency — designing and validating the tactics, decision logic, and mission-level behaviors that let prototype systems operate effectively in contested or dynamic environments. What You’ll Do Lead design and validation of advanced mission behaviors and tactics for prototype vehicles, including behavior architectures, decision logic, and scenario-based validation Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept behaviors and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop test and flight test support Own the advanced behaviors discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and validation methods used across the program’s behavior work Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs req uire it Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders What You’ll Need Bachelor’s degree in...