Controls Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 - Flight Controls & Software brings deep flight controls and software engineering expertise as their organic core competency - control law development, flight dynamics, and the embedded flight control and autopilot software that implements them for prototype vehicles.

What You'll Do

• Lead flight control law design and analysis for prototype vehicles, including control law development, flight dynamics modeling, and stability and control assessment
• Lead development of embedded flight control and autopilot software, from architecture through implementation and flight test support
• Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept modeling and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop test and flight test support
• Own the flight controls and software discipline within Special Programs - setting technical approach, standards, and analysis/development methods used across the program's flight controls and software 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

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Controls, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (advanced degree a plus)
• Demonstrated experience in flight control law development, flight dynamics, or stability and control analysis for aerospace platforms
• Demonstrated experience developing embedded flight control or autopilot software
• Familiarity with relevant control design, simulation, and embedded software development tools
• 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)
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

What Makes This Role Different

This isn't a seat on Archer's core flight controls & software team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it - from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. You'll have significant technical ownership and autonomy, working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archer's most forward-looking defense efforts.

At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $138,200 - $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.