Mechanical Design Engineer - Ducting Systems

Company: Archer
Location: San Jose
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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. What You'll Do: Design inlet and exhaust ducting systems for turboshaft engines and thermal management systems on aircraft Collaborate with aerothermal analysts to optimize duct designs for performance, pressure drop, and thermal efficiency Own the design process from concept through production; requirements, 3D CAD models, drawings, BOM, and design verification Interface with suppliers to manage fabrication, ensure design intent is met, and resolve manufacturing issues Select and integrate COTS components (bellows, flex joints, seals, clamps) where appropriate Develop verification testing strategies for ducting systems and support rigorous qualification testing (pressure, temperature, vibration, etc.) Develop supply chain relationships and lead procurement Work with Systems Engineering and aerothermal analysts to document and validate design requirements What You Need: 5-15 years of mechanical design engineering experience in aerospace or propulsion systems Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering Experience designing ducting, inlet systems, exhaust systems, or thermal management systems Exposure to integrating air breathing turbomachinery or propulsion systems (Turbofan, Turboshaft, etc.) Proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, etc.) with ability to create complex surface and sheet metal designs Ability to manage CAD assemblies and product data in PLM systems (Team Center, Windchill, etc.) Fluent in GD&T and creating manufacturing drawings for sheet metal and machined components Familiarity with Mil-Spec fasteners and aerospace hardware standards Experience with sheet metal design and manufacturing processes (forming, welding, brazing) Familiarity with composite design principles for secondary structure Knowledge of metallic materials for high-temperature applications (stainless steel, Inconel, titanium) Understanding of thermal and fluid flow principles as applied to ducting systems Experience working with suppliers on build-to-print manufacturing Ability to communicate effectively with analysts, suppliers, and cross-functional teams Positive can-do attitude and strong problem-solving skills Bonus Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent) Knowledge of, and experience within, electric powertrain systems or aerospace systems. Thorough understanding of engineering product development including design phases, manufacturing processes and global supply chain management. Familiarization with Atlassian Jira and Confluence for task management and collaborative documentation. Experience supporting vehicle development from concept/prototype aircraft phase through certification and mass production Part 23 Certification Experience and/or experience working with ARP4754A. 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.

Keywords: Archer, Pleasanton , Mechanical Design Engineer - Ducting Systems, Engineering , San Jose, California