Manager, Equipment Build

About this role

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 Team

At Archer’s Production Realization Lab, we build the electromechanical infrastructure that makes flight possible—bringing everything from megawatt-scale dynamometers and complex electrical test stands to bespoke mechanical test equipment from concept to reality.

The Equipment Build Manager leads this high-impact, hands-on organization, encompassing both our prototype fabrication shop and test equipment build team. Sitting at the intersection of engineering, test execution, supply chain, and shop operations, you will serve as a key technical partner to Archer’s design and engineering teams. In this role, you will ensure fabrication output and custom test equipment builds progress with speed, precision, and reliability.

We are seeking a hands-on leader with deep fabrication expertise, strong DFM instincts, and a proven track record of guiding technicians through complex mechanical builds in a fast-paced development environment.

What You’ll Do:

Prototype Fabrication Shop

• Lead Shop Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations of a high-mix, low-rate prototype shop producing structural components, weldments, and complex sheet metal assemblies for rapid development aircraft programs.

• Team Leadership: Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of fabricators and welders, providing hands-on technical guidance and performance coaching.

• Production Planning: Own job prioritization, capacity planning, and throughput to meet aggressive program schedules across multiple concurrent engineering requests.

• Standardize Workflows: Develop and maintain critical shop documentation, including work instructions, setup sheets, traveler documents, and inspection checklists.

• Quality & GD&T: Drive quality and first-article acceptance of fabricated parts through in-process inspection and strict adherence to engineering drawings and GD&T requirements.

• Culture of Safety: Ensure total shop safety compliance, leading a culture where safety and regulatory standards are completely non-negotiable.

Test Equipment Build

• Manage Build Assembly: Lead a team of technicians executing the hands-on assembly, integration, and commissioning of custom mechanical test equipment (e.g., dynamometers, propulsion stands, structural rigs).

• Electromechanical Integration: Oversee the integration of complex mechanical assemblies, plumbing, wiring harnesses, sensors, and instrumentation into commission-ready test fixtures.

• Project Tracking: Monitor build status, material readiness, and open actions, communicating proactively with engineering and program teams to support realistic milestone planning.

• Cross-Functional DFM: Serve as the primary manufacturing voice in design reviews, providing early-stage DFM feedback on geometry, materials, and weld joints to improve producibility and reduce lead times.

• Collaborative Troubleshooting: Partner with propulsion, structures, and systems engineering teams to troubleshoot assembly issues and ensure built equipment meets functional and certification requirements.

• Compliance & Documentation: Advise on make-versus-buy decisions based on shop capability, and maintain accurate, audit-ready build records in support of AS9100 compliance.

What You Need:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent practical experience).

• Experience: 8+ years in a fabrication, manufacturing, or mechanical assembly environment within aerospace, defense, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.

• Leadership: Proven track record of managing technicians, welders, or fabricators through complex mechanical builds in high-mix, quick-turn environments.

• Fabrication Expertise: Strong hands-on background in sheet metal fabrication (CNC press brake, laser/waterjet cutting) and structural welding (MIG/TIG).

• Technical Literacy: Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings, weld symbols, GD&T callouts, and mechanical/electrical assembly documentation.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to track parallel workstreams, manage material readiness, and proactively escalate schedule risks.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Familiarity with plumbing, wiring harness installation, and sensor integration on test fixtures.

• Background working within AS9100 or FAA-regulated manufacturing environments.

• Experience programming CNC press brakes (Trumpf, AMADA, Bystronic) or using nesting software (ProNest, Sigmanest).

• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP/MRP systems for material and work order tracking.

• Experience supporting eVTOL, UAV, or advanced air mobility programs.

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.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $172,800-$216,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated ro

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