Application Guide
How to Apply for Sr. Certification Operations Manager
at Archer
🏢 About Archer
Archer is pioneering the next generation of urban air mobility with electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to revolutionize city transport with a climate-friendly alternative. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, they are building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that includes air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems, and AI solutions for commercial aerospace and defense. Working at Archer means being at the forefront of aerospace innovation, contributing to a sustainable future, and collaborating with a diverse team dedicated to solving hard problems.
About This Role
As the Sr. Certification Operations Manager, you will be the strategic and operational right hand to the Head of Product Certification, ensuring the certification program runs smoothly and efficiently. You will lead a small team focused on program metrics, FAA and foreign-agency correspondence, and project records, enabling technical leaders to focus on engineering and certification success. This role is critical in building the operational backbone that supports Archer's path to certification and commercialization.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start your day with a stand-up with your small team to review upcoming FAA correspondence and program metrics, then meet with the Head of Product Certification to align on priorities and action items. Later, you could facilitate a cross-functional meeting to track certification milestones, update project records, and ensure all stakeholders are informed and on track. Throughout, you'll be the operational linchpin, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks and that the certification program runs smoothly.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Archer Is Looking For
- Possesses 7+ years of experience in program management, operations, or executive support within aerospace, aviation, or a highly regulated industry.
- Demonstrates a proven track record of translating high-level priorities into actionable plans with clear ownership, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
- Has experience managing cross-functional teams and facilitating communication with regulatory bodies such as the FAA or foreign aviation authorities.
- Exhibits strong analytical skills to track program metrics, manage project records, and drive continuous improvement in certification operations.
📝 Tips for Applying to Archer
Highlight your experience in supporting senior leadership and managing complex, regulated programs—specifically mention any aerospace or aviation certification exposure.
Quantify your achievements in operational process improvements, such as reducing correspondence turnaround time or improving milestone tracking accuracy.
Emphasize your ability to lead small teams and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders, as this role requires both strategic partnership and hands-on execution.
Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'certification operations,' 'FAA correspondence,' 'program metrics,' and 'project records' to pass ATS filters.
In your application, express genuine interest in Archer's mission to revolutionize urban air mobility and how your operational expertise can support their certification goals.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience in operationalizing certification or regulatory programs, ideally in aerospace, and how you've enabled technical leaders to succeed.", "Concrete examples of how you've built systems for tracking metrics, managing correspondence, and maintaining project records that improved efficiency and compliance.", "Your leadership style and ability to manage a small team while also being a hands-on contributor, aligning with Archer's fast-paced, mission-driven environment.", 'Your understanding of the FAA and foreign certification processes and your ability to facilitate smooth communication between technical teams and regulators.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Learn about Archer's specific eVTOL aircraft, like the Midnight, and its certification timeline and goals with the FAA and other regulators.
- → Understand the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry landscape, key competitors, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., FAA Part 23/27, EASA SC-VTOL).
- → Research Archer's recent milestones, partnerships, and public statements to understand their culture, values, and strategic direction.
- → Familiarize yourself with the Head of Product Certification's background and public appearances to tailor your approach to their priorities.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing too much on technical engineering or certification authority details, as this role is explicitly not technical—highlight operational and strategic support instead.
- Using generic program management language without demonstrating specific experience in aerospace or aviation regulatory environments.
- Neglecting to show how you've enabled technical leaders or managed regulatory correspondence, which are core to this role.
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!