Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior DevOps Engineer

at Archer

🏢 About Archer

Archer is pioneering the future of urban air mobility with its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to reduce congestion and carbon emissions. As a leader in climate-friendly aviation, Archer offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge aerospace technology that directly impacts sustainable transportation.

About This Role

As a Senior DevOps Engineer, you will architect and maintain CI/CD pipelines and HPC infrastructure critical for developing and testing flight software and simulations. Your work directly enables rapid iteration of GNC algorithms and vehicle management systems, bridging the gap between simulation and real-world flight.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a stand-up with the flight controls team to discuss integration issues, then you'll work on optimizing a CI pipeline for a new Simulink model release. After lunch, you might troubleshoot an HPC job failure for Monte Carlo simulations, and end the day documenting a new automation script for code generation.

🎯 Who Archer Is Looking For

  • A seasoned DevOps engineer with deep expertise in CI/CD tools like GitHub Actions and TeamCity, specifically for aerospace or safety-critical software.
  • Proficient in C/C++ and experienced integrating code with Simulink/MATLAB for model-based design and code generation.
  • Skilled in managing HPC clusters for large-scale simulations, with scripting prowess in Python and Bash.
  • A collaborative problem-solver who can interface between flight dynamics and embedded software teams.

📝 Tips for Applying to Archer

1

Highlight your experience with Simulink and MATLAB code generation, as this is a core requirement for the role.

2

Emphasize any work with HPC infrastructure for Monte Carlo simulations or batch testing.

3

Tailor your resume to show specific CI/CD workflows you've built for aerospace or similar safety-critical systems.

4

Mention your familiarity with both GitHub Actions and TeamCity, as the job lists both.

5

Include examples of how you've bridged software teams (e.g., simulation vs. embedded) to improve integration.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for sustainable aviation and how your DevOps skills can accelerate Archer's mission.", "Specific examples of CI/CD pipelines you've built for complex systems (e.g., model-based design).", 'Your experience with C/C++ and Simulink integration, and how it ensures reliable code generation.', 'Your ability to manage and optimize HPC resources for demanding simulation workloads.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read about Archer's eVTOL aircraft design and its flight control system.
  • Understand Archer's partnerships (e.g., with United Airlines) and production plans.
  • Familiarize yourself with Simulink code generation workflows and HPC batch scheduling tools (e.g., SLURM).
  • Review Archer's public technical blog or press releases about their simulation and testing processes.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a CI/CD pipeline you built for a Simulink-based project and how you handled code generation.
2 How would you manage HPC resources for parallelized Monte Carlo simulations?
3 Explain your approach to integrating C/C++ with Simulink models for flight software.
4 Tell us about a time you acted as a technical bridge between two engineering teams.
5 How do you ensure reliability and safety in automated testing for flight-critical systems?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic DevOps experience; focus on aerospace or safety-critical systems.
  • Don't overlook the importance of Simulink/MATLAB expertise; it's a key differentiator.
  • Don't neglect to mention your experience with both CI/CD tools listed (GitHub Actions and TeamCity).

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Archer!