[All remote jobs](https://jobicy.com/jobs.md)[![Archer Aviation logo](https://jobicy.com/data/server-nyc0409/galaxy/mercury/2026/11/b613b9622385-221.webp)](https://jobicy.com/company/archer-aviation.md)[Archer Aviation](https://jobicy.com/company/archer-aviation.md) # Lead Flight Controls & Software Engineer – Special Programs AI Summary Archer Aviation is seeking a senior flight controls and embedded software engineer for its rapid-prototyping Special Programs team. The role leads control-law development, flight dynamics analysis, embedded autopilot software, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and flight-test support for advanced aerospace prototypes. The engineer will own the discipline's technical methods while contributing across adjacent engineering areas and evaluating early-stage technical opportunities. This US remote role requires 8–12 years of relevant experience, US Person status, eligibility for a security clearance, and limited travel. It offers substantial technical ownership in a small, fast-moving defense-focused engineering environment.[Apply for this job](#job-application)[View company](https://jobicy.com/company/archer-aviation.md)ShareRemote from[USA](https://jobicy.com/job-region/usa.md)SalaryUSD 138,200–190,100 / yrDepartment[Software Engineering](https://jobicy.com/categories/engineering.md)EmploymentFull TimeExperienceSeniorPublished13 Nov 2026Apply before13 Dec 2026Listing views56Application actions6Application toolkit ## Make your next move. Prepare your resume, explore your fit, and draft a cover letter for this opportunity. Opportunity details ## About this role. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence (“AI”) solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors. 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. About the Role Special Programs is Archer’s rapid-prototyping, cross-functional engineering team supporting advanced and defense-focused development efforts. We operate as a small, empowered group capable of moving quickly across disciplines — from early technical assessment of new opportunities through hands-on design, analysis, and prototype development. The Lead Special Programs Engineer – Flight Controls & Software brings deep flight controls and software engineering expertise as their organic core competency — control law development, flight dynamics, and the embedded flight control and autopilot software that implements them for prototype vehicles. What You’ll Do * Lead flight control law design and analysis for prototype vehicles, including control law development, flight dynamics modeling, and stability and control assessment * Lead development of embedded flight control and autopilot software, from architecture through implementation and flight test support * Support rapid prototyping efforts end-to-end, from concept modeling and simulation through hardware-in-the-loop test and flight test support * Own the flight controls and software discipline within Special Programs — setting technical approach, standards, and analysis/development methods used across the program’s flight controls and software work * Conduct technical feasibility assessments of new opportunities — evaluating whether emerging concepts, RFPs, or mission requirements are viable within your focus area and what approach they would require * Serve as a cross-functional technical contributor across Special Programs efforts outside your core focus area when program needs require it * Collaborate with program leads, other Special Programs engineers, and broader Archer engineering teams to align technical approaches with program timelines and constraints * Produce technical documentation, trade studies, and analysis packages supporting both design maturity reviews and opportunity/capture decisions * Represent Special Programs work in your focus area in internal reviews and, as needed, in discussions with government stakeholders What You’ll Need * Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Controls, Electrical, or Computer Engineering (advanced degree a plus) * Demonstrated experience in flight control law development, flight dynamics, or stability and control analysis for aerospace platforms * Demonstrated experience developing embedded flight control or autopilot software * Familiarity with relevant control design, simulation, and embedded software development tools * Demonstrated ability to work across the full development lifecycle — concept through prototype — in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment * Experience or strong aptitude for evaluating technical feasibility of early-stage concepts, not just executing against defined requirements * Comfort operating as a generalist when needed — willingness and ability to contribute outside your core focus area in support of program needs * Ability to work independently with significant technical ownership and no direct-report support structure * 8–12 years of relevant engineering experience (or equivalent demonstrated experience in rapid-prototyping / advanced-programs environments) * Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee), as defined by ITAR/EAR * Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance * Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. What Makes This Role Different This isn’t a seat on Archer’s core flight controls & software team. Special Programs engineers are chosen for deep discipline expertise and the versatility to support wherever a program needs it — from early opportunity evaluation to hands-on prototype work across disciplines. You’ll have significant technical ownership and autonomy, working in a small team built to move fast on some of Archer’s most forward-looking defense efforts. At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $138,200 – $190,100. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. ### 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](mailto: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](https://archer.com/legal/personnel-candidate-privacy-policy). ### Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship. ### 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](https://jobicy.com/company/archer-aviation.md) 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](mailto:People@archer.com). All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team. Show more [Apply now >](https://jobicy.com/jobs/161923-lead-flight-controls-software-engineer-special-programs.md) * ![Upload CV](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ### Upload your resume now To unlock remote work opportunities and be discovered by global employers. This job listing has been manually reviewed by the Jobicy Trust & Safety Team for compliance with our posting guidelines, including verification of the company's legitimacy, accuracy of job details, clarity of remote work policy, and absence of misleading or fraudulent content. ## Role DNA A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description. ### Job Complexity 5/5EasyHard ### Pace & Pressure 5/5RelaxedFast-paced ### Autonomy Level 5/5GuidedFull ownership ### Communication Load 4/5IndependentCollaborative AI insightThis is a highly technical aerospace role requiring deep expertise across flight dynamics, control laws, embedded software, and prototype validation. The rapid-prototyping setting adds ambiguity, cross-functional demands, and accountability for technical direction. ## Salary analysis Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles. Estimated job median (per year)Market rate$164,150US market range (per year)$145k–$205k0$225.50k AI insightThe yearly pay period is inferred from the job context; it was not explicitly stated by the employer. The employer discloses a base-pay range of $138,200–$190,100 USD. The annual cadence is inferred from the range magnitude and the senior full-time US aerospace engineering context. A reasonable estimated US annual market range for a lead aerospace flight-controls and embedded-software engineer is $145,000–$205,000. ## Core skills Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity. [Flight control law development](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Flight%20control%20law%20development.md)[Flight dynamics](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Flight%20dynamics.md)[Stability and control analysis](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Stability%20and%20control%20analysis.md)[Embedded software engineering](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Embedded%20software%20engineering.md)[Autopilot software](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Autopilot%20software.md)[Control system design](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Control%20system%20design.md)[Aerospace engineering](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Aerospace%20engineering.md)[Hardware-in-the-loop testing](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Hardware-in-the-loop%20testing.md)[Flight test support](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Flight%20test%20support.md)[Prototype development](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Prototype%20development.md)[Technical feasibility assessment](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Technical%20feasibility%20assessment.md)[Simulation modeling](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Simulation%20modeling.md)[Technical documentation](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Technical%20documentation.md)[Systems engineering](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Systems%20engineering.md)[Security clearance eligibility](https://jobicy.com/jobs?search_keywords=Security%20clearance%20eligibility.md) Sample interview questionsHow would you develop and validate a flight control law for a new prototype aircraft?I would begin by defining vehicle dynamics, mission objectives, handling-quality targets, constraints, and failure cases. I would build and validate a simulation model, design the control architecture and laws, then progressively validate them through software-in-the-loop, processor-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, ground testing, and carefully phased flight testing. Describe how you would approach embedded autopilot software architecture for a rapid-prototyping program. I would establish clear interfaces between sensor processing, state estimation, guidance, control, actuator management, communications, and fault handling. The architecture should prioritize determinism, testability, configuration control, observability, and safe degraded modes while remaining modular enough to accommodate rapid hardware and requirement changes. What technical risks do you evaluate when assessing an early-stage aerospace concept? I assess controllability, stability margins, actuator authority, sensor observability, computational capacity, integration constraints, safety hazards, verification feasibility, schedule risk, and technology maturity. I translate these findings into focused trade studies, assumptions, risk-reduction tests, and a recommended development path. How do you balance rapid iteration with safety and engineering rigor during prototype flight-test preparation? I use risk-based verification and define objective entry criteria for every test stage. Fast iteration is possible when requirements, configuration baselines, telemetry, abort logic, test cards, and anomaly-resolution processes are maintained with discipline. Tell us about a time you had to contribute outside your primary specialty to unblock a program. I would explain the program constraint, clarify the interfaces between my discipline and the adjacent workstream, and take ownership of the highest-value contribution I could make. 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