Actuator Lead
Archer is seeking an experienced Actuator Mechanical Development Manager to lead the design, integration, and validation of high-performance electromechanical actuators for flight-critical applications. This role requires a deep understanding of actuator system architecture, dynamic modeling, and performance analysis, as well as multidisciplinary integration across electrical, controls, and thermal domains. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with a strong foundation in mechanism design, high-reliability mechanical systems, and aerospace qualification processes—capable of driving concepts from requirements definition through flight-ready hardware on an aggressive schedule.
The Actuator Lead will be responsible for leading a team of design and mechanical system engineers to design and develop high-performance, flight-critical electromechanical actuation systems from concept through production. This includes owning overall actuator mechanical design and integration of motors, geartrains, rolling-element screws, bearings, brakes, housings, sensors, and electronics. The role involves performing trade studies to optimize system architecture and mass while meeting performance and fault-tolerance requirements, creating and reviewing CAD models, drawings, and engineering specifications, developing actuator-system and detailed component specifications and requirements, and building and maintaining system-level models to validate actuator performance.
Key responsibilities also encompass acting as the single point focal for custom actuation development, working alongside the program manager to develop and maintain milestone and schedule strategies, developing strong relationships and working seamlessly with internal functional groups for custom motor, controller, and thermal designs, and partnering with peer design owners including actuator controller, flight controls, GNC, power systems, airframe, and software to deliver an optimized integrated system for the aircraft. The Actuator Lead will drive cross-functional project teams, coordinate with manufacturing, quality, sourcing, and test engineering, lead design reviews, provide technical expertise for key decisions, lead by example through hands-on problem solving, engineering rigor, and accountability, demonstrate best practices in documentation, testing, and design validation, mentor and oversee junior engineers, foster professional growth, collaborate with systems, safety, and reliability teams to inform DFMEA and ensure requirements are fully validated and understood, and lead and oversee technical performance of partnerships and suppliers for varied levels of subassemblies and critical components.
Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or related field) and have 8+ years of experience in actuated mechanism or electromechanical system design. Strong communication and presentation skills at any level within the organization are essential, along with a proven ability to take ownership of complex engineering problems through completion. Demonstrated initiative in seeking out critical information and driving technical closure is also required. Experience in areas such as GD&T for mechanical systems, kinematic analysis and optimization, design for 14 CFR Part 23 systems compliance, structural analysis using hand calculations and finite-element methods, materials selection, Siemens NX CAD and Simcenter or ANSYS FEA tools, rolling element bearing selection and sizing, involute gear tooth design and analysis, ball and/or lead screw design and analysis, and structural analysis (static, modal, buckling, and fatigue) is highly desirable.
Additional qualifications that would be beneficial include familiarity with PDM systems, project or program management experience, proficiency in MATLAB, Python, Mathcad, and/or LabVIEW, hands-on experience in a machine shop or with mechanical assembly (professional or hobby), experience with RTCA DO-160, structural, or actuator mechanism testing, demonstrated interest in aviation such as pilot training or license, and experience in requirements management tools.