Staff Hardware Integration Engineer

Note: This role must be based onsite in the San Jose area. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the physical build and bring-up of subscale aircraft platforms — mounting and wiring flight controllers, companion computers, radios, and sensor payloads 
• Design and fabricate wiring harnesses, connectors, and power distribution for onboard electronics
• Validate integrated hardware end-to-end on the bench and on the platform, coordinating with test and program teams 
• Troubleshoot EMI, power, and signal-integrity issues across sensor and compute interfaces
• Collaborate with perception, navigation, and test engineers to ensure hardware meets system requirements 
• Maintain build documentation, wiring diagrams, and configuration records for fielded systems 

What You Need:

• Education: Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in EE, ME, Robotics, or a related field, featuring direct industry experience deploying autonomy hardware (Ph.D. + 4 yrs / M.S. + 8 yrs / B.S. + 10 yrs)
• Hardware & Vehicle Integration: Hands-on experience integrating, mounting, and bringing up hardware on small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones), robotics, or mechatronic platforms
• Interfaces & Connectivity: Direct experience integrating sensor payloads and compute architectures using communication interfaces such as MIPI, USB, Ethernet, and CAN
• Harnessing: Demonstrated skill in wire harness design, custom connectorization, cable routing, and physical integration for benchtop and flight testing
• Electrical: Practical understanding of EMI mitigation techniques, power management, and noise reduction for embedded avionics systems
• Testing & Debug: Proven ability to work hands-on in a lab, hangar, or field test environment to execute end-to-end hardware bring-up, bench validation, and system debugging

Bonus Qualifications:

• Flight Controls & Compute: Hands-on experience with PX4/ArduPilot flight controllers and NVIDIA Jetson (or similar) companion computers 
• RF & Telemetry: Experience selecting, wiring, and integrating radios and telemetry systems for real-time video/data transport
• Domain Expertise: Prior background in small aircraft, aerospace payload integration, or mobile robotics 
• Operations: Experience supporting live flight tests, benchtop hardware validation, or field operations

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 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.