Vehicle Architect — Conceptual Sizing

Archer
San Jose
Workplace: HybridFull timeUSD 172,800 - 237,600 annuallyFunction: Software EngineeringSkills: ["Communication","Presenting","Customer collaboration","Technical problem-solving"]

Own the end-to-end conceptual sizing and configuration process for a next-generation all-electric aircraft. Build and maintain Python-based vehicle-level sizing and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) tools that translate mission and use-case inputs into performance and weight parameters. Lead configuration trade studies, integrate structures/powertrain/aerodynamics inputs into a unified framework, and collaborate with customers and internal teams to refine assumptions and proposals.

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FursaFursa
Archer
Archer
2 days ago

Vehicle Architect — Conceptual Sizing

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 9 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own the end-to-end conceptual sizing and configuration process for a next-generation all-electric aircraft. Build and maintain Python-based vehicle-level sizing and multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) tools that translate mission and use-case inputs into performance and weight parameters. Lead configuration trade studies, integrate structures/powertrain/aerodynamics inputs into a unified framework, and collaborate with customers and internal teams to refine assumptions and proposals.
Location: San Jose
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Software Engineering

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own vehicle-level conceptual sizing and optimization models and tools that convert mission/use-case inputs into sizing parameters.
  • •Evolve the vehicle-level conceptual sizing and MDO methodology by integrating structures, powertrain, and aerodynamics models into a unified optimization framework.
  • •Lead configuration trade studies across missions and use cases, balancing performance, weight, cost, and producibility.
  • •Collaborate with product, systems engineering, and customers to shape missions and translate use cases into vehicle design drivers and requirements support.
  • •Own the vehicle mass-properties rollup, sizing convergence loop, and margin management; present sizing rationale and incorporate partner feedback into updated assumptions.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 172,800 - 237,600 annually

Key Requirements

  • •Strong proficiency in Python to build and maintain production-quality analysis and optimization tools.
  • •Strong experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) frameworks (e.g., OpenMDAO, AeroSandbox, SUAVE, GPkit, Dymos).
  • •Demonstrated experience sizing actual aircraft that have flown.
  • •Experience integrating multidisciplinary inputs (aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, mass properties) into a single vehicle sizing and optimization model.
  • •Familiarity with MIL specs and/or FARs, plus strong written and verbal communication for presenting trade studies to technical and customer/partner audiences.
Experience:AerospaceAircraftElectric propulsionEVTOLRotorcraftMDO
Skills:CommunicationPresentingCustomer collaborationTechnical problem-solving
Languages:English
Tech Stack:PythonOpenMDAOAeroSandboxSUAVEGPkitDymosHPCSurrogate modelingRadial basis functionsGaussian process regressionNeural networksParametric geometry generationMIL specsFARs

Eligibility

Work Authorization:Authorization required. Sponsorship not provided.

Company Brief

Archer
Develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and urban air mobility systems to enable sustainable, intra-city air transportation for passengers and cargo.
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Company Size: Large (251 to 1,000 employees)
Revenue: Pre-Revenue (USD 0)
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Palo Alto, United States
Founded: 2018
WebsiteLinkedIn