Propulsion Controls Engineer, Motor / Power Electronics

Archer· San Jose, United States·3mo ago

c-plus-plus

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.

Key Responsibilities

Architect, implement, and verify advanced control algorithms for electric propulsion systems focusing on one of the following domains:

Motor control track: deployment of motor/generator control logic, including sophisticated sensorless and observer-based architectures.
Power electronics track: engineering of resonant converter controls and high-performance DC-DC converter topologies.

Engineer seamless interfaces between flight control computers, power inverters, propulsion controllers, and battery management units.
Develop and troubleshoot safety-critical embedded C/C++ code for real-time aerospace applications.
Execute rigorous simulations, HIL testing, and iron-bird validation to ensure compliance with strict aerospace performance requirements.
Design redundant fault detection, isolation, and recovery logic to maintain uncompromising flight safety standards.
Build and manage complex control architectures, plant models, and HIL environments for motor drives and power conversion hardware.
Partner with cross-functional teams across airframe, aerodynamics, and structures to optimize the total propulsion system envelope.
Facilitate flight test programs and prototype vehicle integration through detailed data analysis and system-level debugging.
Produce comprehensive technical documentation for designs and software iterations following DO-178C and DO-254 development standards.
Uphold meticulous configuration management protocols for all flight-critical software and control assets.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
2+ years of experience in control systems engineering – electric propulsion, power electronics, motor control, flight controls, EV powertrains, or energy storage systems.
Proficiency in embedded C/C++ for real-time, safety-critical applications.
Strong background in at least one of the following:

Power electronics track: resonant converter control design, DC-DC converter design and implementation.
Motor control track: advanced motor/generator control algorithms (e.g., FOC, DTC, observers, sensorless control), multi-motor control architectures.

Experience with simulation and validation tools (MATLAB/Simulink) and HIL testing.
Familiarity with microcontrollers and communication protocols (I2C, SPI, CAN).
Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment.

Bonus Qualifications

Experience with electric propulsion systems for aerospace or EV applications.
Knowledge of battery management systems, high-voltage power electronics, and high-voltage safety.
Experience with flight-critical or safety-critical system development, and state machine design.
Familiarity with aerospace standards (DO-178C, DO-254).
Experience with system hardware bring-up and integration of motor/generator drive systems.

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 support the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $144,000 - $198,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by 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 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.