Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff Certification Engineer

at Archer

🏢 About Archer

Archer is pioneering urban air mobility with its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and transform city transportation. As a leader in the eVTOL space, Archer offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that directly contributes to a sustainable future.

About This Role

As a Staff Certification Engineer, you will be the backbone of Archer's airframe certification efforts, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. Your work will directly impact the safety and airworthiness of Archer's eVTOL aircraft, enabling the company to bring its revolutionary aircraft to market.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves leading certification plan reviews with airframe design teams, coordinating with FAA DERs on compliance methods, and authoring certification reports. You'll also attend cross-functional meetings to ensure certification requirements are integrated into engineering designs, and troubleshoot any compliance gaps that arise during testing.

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🎯 Who Archer Is Looking For

  • Holds a BS in Structural Engineering or a closely related field, with deep understanding of aircraft structures.
  • Has 5+ years of hands-on certification experience in civil or military aircraft, preferably with eVTOL or Part 23 aircraft.
  • Expert in FAA regulations including Part 23, 8110.4c, AC 20-107, and AC 23-19, with proven ability to apply them to new designs.
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills, able to translate complex certification requirements to cross-functional teams and FAA DERs.

📝 Tips for Applying to Archer

1

Highlight specific examples of certification plans you authored for aircraft structures, especially under Part 23 or similar.

2

Quantify your experience with FAA interactions, such as number of DER meetings or successful compliance reports.

3

Mention any experience with eVTOL or novel aircraft configurations, as Archer values innovation in certification.

4

Tailor your resume to show familiarity with Archer's aircraft design (e.g., composite structures, distributed propulsion) and relevant certification challenges.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly state your understanding of Archer's mission and how your certification expertise supports their timeline.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for sustainable aviation and how your certification skills can accelerate Archer's path to market.", "Detail your experience with FAA Part 23 and AC 20-107, and how you've applied them to complex structures.", 'Showcase your ability to lead certification plans and act as a liaison between engineering teams and regulators.', 'Mention any experience with type certification or supplemental type certificates (STCs) for novel designs.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Archer's latest press releases and investor presentations to understand their certification timeline and milestones.
  • → Study Archer's aircraft design (e.g., Midnight) to identify unique structural features and certification challenges.
  • → Review recent FAA guidance on eVTOL certification, including special conditions and policy statements.
  • → Research Archer's leadership team, especially the VP of Certification, to understand their background and priorities.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a compliance strategy for Archer's eVTOL airframe, given it's a novel configuration?
2 Describe a time you resolved a conflict between a design team and an FAA DER over a compliance method.
3 What are the key differences between certifying a conventional aircraft and an eVTOL under Part 23?
4 Explain how you would ensure that Archer's composite airframe meets AC 20-107 requirements for damage tolerance.
5 How do you prioritize certification activities when multiple airframe components are behind schedule?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic statements about certification without specific examples of your role in achieving compliance.
  • Don't underestimate the novelty of eVTOL; failing to acknowledge unique certification challenges can signal lack of insight.
  • Avoid being overly rigid about traditional certification methods; Archer values creative, yet compliant, approaches.

📅 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!

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Good luck with your application to Archer!

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