Archer · 20 hours ago
Staff Program Manager, Flight Test
San Jose, California, United States
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$173K/yr - $216K/yr
7+ years expArcher 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 seeking a seasoned Flight Test Program Manager to lead the planning, execution, and certification of our flight test campaigns, acting as the critical link between design engineering teams, flight operations crew, and regulatory authorities.
AerospaceAir TransportationElectric VehicleManufacturing
No H1B
Responsibilities
Lead the planning and execution of flight test campaigns from initial ground runs and envelope expansion through final certification
Serve as the primary interface between the Flight Test organization and Design Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality teams
Develop, manage, and ensure compliance with flight test processes and procedures
Oversee the configuration control of test vehicles, ensuring aircraft configuration and conformity align with specific test requirements
Coordinate with the FAA and designated engineering representatives (DERs) to support Certification and Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) activities
Manage external test site logistics, including remote deployments, hangar facilities, and airspace coordination
Develop and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for all flight test vehicles and assets
Manage program budgets for flight operations, including instrumentation, maintenance, telemetry infrastructure, and external range costs
Track and report flight test KPIs, such as sortie rates, test points efficiency, and aircraft availability
Lead daily stand-ups and weekly program reviews with cross-functional stakeholders
Identify critical path risks and implement recovery plans to mitigate schedule slips during testing delays
Facilitate communication between technical teams and executive leadership regarding test campaign progress, technical challenges, and shifting priorities
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
7+ years of experience in flight test operations or flight test program management
Demonstrated experience with aircraft development programs (Part 23 or Part 25 certification preferred)
Deep understanding of FAA regulations, specifically 14 CFR Part 21 and flight test risk management (e.g., FAA Order 4040.26B)
Strong proficiency in scheduling tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera, or Smartsheet) and issue tracking (Jira)
Experience managing complex logistics, including aircraft maintenance and remote site operations
Preferred
Master's degree in Flight Test Engineering or Business Administration
Graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) short course or full curriculum
Private Pilot License (PPL) or higher aviation certification
Experience with eVTOL, fly-by-wire systems, or high-voltage electric propulsion testing
Experience with telemetry control room operations and real-time monitoring tools
Company
Archer
Archer is an aerospace company that developed an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft tailored for urban air mobility systems.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$3.48BKey Investors
BlackRockStellantis
2025-11-06Post Ipo Equity· $650M
2025-06-12Post Ipo Equity· $850M
2025-02-11Post Ipo Equity· $300M
Leadership Team
Adam Goldstein
Founder and CEO
Tom Muniz
Chief Technology Officer
Recent News
2026-01-09
The Motley Fool
2026-01-09
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