Director Gearbox Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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

As part of the mission at Archer, we’re scaling production of our cutting‑edge Electric Propulsion System (EPS) — the heart of our eVTOL aircraft. EPS comprises the Electric Motor, Inverter and Propeller assemblies and represents one of the most technically demanding, highly automated manufacturing systems in our factory.

We’re looking for a Lead Powertrain Manufacturing Engineer to bridge the gap between design and high-volume production. We are specifically seeking an expert in Battery/HVPS (High Voltage Power Supply) assemblies, though we are also eager to speak with leaders experienced in Electric Drive Units (EDU) or EPS systems. If you have a track record of scaling capacity through strategic CapEx and continuous improvement, we want you to help us build world‑class hardware from the ground up.

What You’ll Do:

• Build & Mentor a High‑Performing Team: Lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary engineering squad, providing technical mentorship to a team ranging from Associate to Senior Engineers
• Scale World‑Class Infrastructure: Own the full lifecycle of major CapEx projects, from initial factory layout and equipment sourcing to final commissioning and handover
• Drive Technical Excellence: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for Battery/HVPS assembly or Electric Drive Units (EDU), overseeing complex processes such as stator manufacturing, gearbox assembly, and End‑of‑Line (EOL) testing
• Bridge Design & Production: Lead the transition from concept to high‑volume manufacturing, maintaining the agility to design production lines "at risk" while product specifications are still being finalized
• Optimize for "Automotive Pulse": Thrive in a high‑pressure, high‑cadence environment where you’ll solve complex continuous improvement challenges to support aggressive production targets
• Strategic Resource Management: Manage vendor relationships and internal stakeholders to ensure capacity increases stay on track, on budget, and ahead of the technology curve.

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent)
• Powertrain Expertise: 7+ years of experience in EV or Aerospace manufacturing, with deep technical knowledge of Battery/HVPS assembly or Electric Drive Units (EDU) including stator, rotor, or gearbox production
• CapEx Ownership: Proven track record of managing large‑scale projects ($10M+), driving the entire lifecycle from equipment specification and commissioning to full‑scale production handover.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading and developing multi‑level engineering teams (Associate to Senior), with the ability to foster technical growth in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment
• Technical Agility: Ability to work "at risk," designing and de‑risking complex production lines while product designs are still being finalized in a concurrent engineering cycle
• Automation & Systems: Proficiency in NX/AutoCAD and PLM/MES systems, with hands‑on experience in industrial automation (robotics, PLCs, gantries)
• Operational Rigor: Strong foundation in GD&T, SPC, and structured problem‑solving (DMAIC, 8D, or 5 Whys) to optimize OEE and develop predictive maintenance programs
• High‑Cadence Mindset: A "Tesla‑speed" approach to manufacturing—thriving in high‑pressure environments where you must translate complex technical challenges into clear, actionable results

Bonus Qualifications:

• Specialized Testing: Direct experience with Dyno testing, high‑voltage battery safety validation, or advanced EOL diagnostic systems
• Industrial Automation Mastery: Expertise in programming or architecting high‑speed automated assembly lines involving multi‑axis robotics and vision systems
• Regulatory & Quality Standards: Familiarity with aircraft conformity, configuration management, or IATF 16949/AS9100 quality frameworks
• Advanced CAD/Sim: Expert‑level proficiency in NX for factory layout and experience using simulation tools to model line throughput and bottlenecks

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 $182,500 - $228,100. 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 role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre‑employment and random drug screening.

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 people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.