Senior Engineer, Mass Properties (Defense)

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.

This is a full-time position, based out of our San Jose, CA office.

Overview

As the Staff Engineer, Mass Properties you will assist the Mass Properties Engineering team by performing hands-on tasks, collecting critical data, and supporting the team's weight and balance programs across aircraft platforms. You will ensure the integrity and tracking of mass properties data, directly contributing to compliance and optimization efforts throughout the product lifecycle.

What You’ll Do

• Assist the Mass Properties Engineering team in day-to-day program execution and data management.
• Support the implementation of the Mass Properties program plan, focusing on data collection and reporting for weight, center of gravity, and inertia data.
• Maintain and update the mass properties database for various aircraft models and their variants.
• Collect, validate, and organize data from cross-functional teams, including design, structures, and systems, to support mass optimization and performance analysis.
• Help manage the transition of mass properties data from estimated to measured values.
• Conduct physical aircraft inspections and assist in managing weighing operations and audits.
• Assist in documentation preparation and support FAA certification activities related to weight and balance compliance.
• Implement and utilize tools and processes to streamline data collection and analysis.

What You’ll Bring

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or a related STEM discipline, or equivalent practical experience in an engineering support role.
• 5 plus years of experience in Mass Properties or a related engineering field, ideally on an aircraft development program.
• Familiarity with weight and balance concepts for dynamic systems, preferably aircraft.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with an ability to manage multiple data streams simultaneously.
• Experience or comfort with hands-on technical work, data collection, and database entry.

Nice-to-Have:

• Familiarity with CAD tools such as NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA for viewing and extracting data from models.
• Experience with ARP4754A development processes.
• Any direct involvement in aircraft weighing or physical inspection operations.

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

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.