Sr. Automation Controls Engineer

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 Role:

As part of Archer’s mission to scale production of our cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft, we are seeking an Sr. Automation Controls Engineer to help design and build manufacturing automation at scale. This role goes beyond maintaining existing lines—it’s about architecting intelligent manufacturing systems from the ground up. We’re looking for a hands-on technical engineer who thrives on turning complex designs into reliable, scalable solutions, bridging the gap between early R&D concepts and flight-ready hardware.

The primary objective of this role is to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative machine and process concepts. You will lead the full controls system lifecycle, including programming PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and servo drives. In addition, this role involves drafting detailed electrical schematics and overseeing the procurement and fabrication of electrical control panels.

What You’ll Do:

Assist in the development of high-volume production systems, from early process feasibility studies through scalable production

Contribute to the development of Equipment Development Standards and templates to drive hardware and software standardization across the factory

Partner with external system integrators to deliver equipment that meets Archer standards and specifications

Provide machine design feedback from an electrical, controls, and machine/operator safety perspective; drive implementation with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, Archer standards, equipment specifications, and field labeling

Support installation, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment and tooling alongside system integrators

Develop, deploy, and validate MES interfaces to production equipment

Build HMIs from scratch and improve existing HMIs, with a focus on ignition and V8 systems

Support in-line troubleshooting of electrical systems, control panels, field devices, and safety interlock circuits

Develop comprehensive handoff packages for production and sustaining engineering teams

Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to improve quality, increase throughput, and reduce cost

Specify and select controls and safety hardware, and program devices for prototype lines and internally developed equipment

What You Need:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent hands-on automation experience

6+ years of hands-on experience in an industrial automation, controls, or manufacturing equipment environment

Experience working as a Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Applications Engineer, or Equipment Engineer

Hands-on PLC programming experience, including:

Allen-Bradley (primary)

Beckhoff (nice-to-have)

Siemens (nice-to-have / future-focused)

Ability to modify existing PLC programs and/or develop logic from scratch

Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment or production lines

Strong hands-on electrical troubleshooting skills

Ability to read and understand electrical schematics

Experience using AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN (both acceptable)

Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP or equivalent)

Experience developing or supporting HMI systems

Ignition experience is a plus, not required

Exposure to SQL databases for logging, recipes, or data exchange between PLCs and higher-level systems

Willingness to work onsite in a hands-on manufacturing environment

Ability to travel up to ~20% (primarily domestic, later-phase support)

Bonus Qualifications:

NFPA 70E certification

RIA certifications (e.g., Certified Vision Professional, Certified Motion Control Professional)

Hands-on experience with battery module and/or pack manufacturing

Experience with PFMEA development

Experience with NX and Teamcenter

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 $126,700 - $158,400. 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.

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 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.