Lead Mission Systems & Integration Engineer – Special Programs

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission systems design, requirements definition, and integration for prototype vehicles, including payload and sensor integration, mission equipment packaging, and operator/mission-system interfaces
• Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept mission architecture through integration, ground test, and flight test support
• Own the mission systems discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and integration methods used across the program’s mission systems 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 require 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

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, or Electrical Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
• Demonstrated experience defining and integrating mission systems, payloads, or sensor packages for aerospace or defense platforms
• Familiarity with mission-system requirements management and payload-to-airframe integration
• Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
• Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements
• Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs
• Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure
• 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments)

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR

Skills

• Technical expertise in mission systems engineering
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Benefits

• Flexible work schedule
• Competitive salary range: $138,200 - $190,100
• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Professional development opportunities

Pay

Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Professional development opportunities