Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer at Archer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer
Company: Archer
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Job Type: On-site
Category: Systems Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-08-02

🚀 Role Summary

Archer, an aerospace company based in San Jose, California, is seeking a Senior Battery Controls & Systems Engineer to define, validate, implement, and verify all Battery Management System (BMS) and Battery Controls requirements for their all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the Midnight. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in battery management system controls development, model-based software development, and experience working in regulated industries. This role involves collaborating with various teams, including pilots, operators, and maintainers, to optimize performance and capability of the High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System functions.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

🔩 Controls & System Design

Collaborate with the Chief Engineer and safety engineering team to define and identify all functional and logical interfaces.
Work with pilots, operators, maintainers, human factors, and other system engineers to optimize performance and capability of the High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System functions.
Lead architecture definition, trade studies, and multidisciplinary integration problem solving; create and present BMS controls/algorithms trade study information for cross-functional leadership buy-off.
Own/develop complex model-based battery control & estimation algorithms for implementation into BMS Flight Software.
Work in model-based design environments to create, test, and verify battery control and estimation algorithms.
Assure continuity of integration learnings to prototype and production aircraft flight testing.
Liaison with Technical Publications organization for High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System related documentation.

📜 Requirements Management

Ensure High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System requirement sets are complete and correct, with traceability to and fulfilling higher-level requirements; manage cross-functional interface requirements; ensure the integration decisions are captured as complete and correct set of requirements and design data.
Develop lower-level requirement sets with support from the technical lead and subject matter experts.

📊 Test & Evaluation

Create test procedures to verify features in unit test, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) test, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments.
Assist in the execution of BMS software verification test plans and test automation technical reviews and approvals.
Perform Integration activities of the High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System in the Battery Labs and Integrated Labs.
Feedback issues found during integration and/or verification gaps to respective System/SW teams and collaborate on resolution and subsequent verification.
As stakeholder of integrated labs, collaborate with lab staff on continuous process and infrastructure improvements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

📚 Education & Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
5+ years of experience with battery management system controls development.
Experience with model-based software development using MATLAB/Simulink.
Experience with functional and non-functional requirement definition for high voltage battery systems.
Experience with new product development in regulated industries (e.g., aviation, medical devices).

🛠️‍🔧 Technical Skills

Experience with 14 CFR Part 23 and/or 25 Certification, ARP-4754A, ARP-4761, DO-254, DO-178C.
Significant experience with requirement management and test management tools (e.g., Polarion, Jira).
Excellent organizational skills, clear written and verbal communication, and a collaborative mindset.
Self-motivated with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
Collaborative mindset, willingness to step in and support where needed.
Passion for learning and problem solving.

🏆 Bonus Qualifications

Experience executing formal validation and verification activities in an aerospace program.
Experience with dSPACE, Vector CAN tools.
Experience using Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) models and tools.
Good understanding of aviation protocols (Primarily ARINC 429, Ethernet, RS-232/RS-422, Discretes, Analogs, CAN).
Experience with Agile development methods.
Familiarity with or a passion for aviation.

📊 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $134,400 - $168,000 per year.
Benefits: Not specified in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aerospace
Company Size: Not specified
Founded: Not specified

Archer aims to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possesses the skills and leadership necessary to grow their business. They drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site
Office Location(s): San Jose, California, United States

Archer provides a collaborative workspace with a focus on learning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. They offer a flexible work schedule with project deadline flexibility and maintenance window details.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior level with a focus on battery management system controls development, model-based software development, and experience in regulated industries.
Reporting Structure: The Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer will report directly to the Chief Engineer and collaborate with various teams, including pilots, operators, maintainers, human factors, and other system engineers.
Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the performance, safety, and reliability of the Midnight aircraft's battery management system. The Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer will define, validate, implement, and verify all BMS and Battery Controls requirements, ensuring the integration of systems throughout the product development life cycle.

🛠️‍🔧 Challenges & Growth Opportunities

🛑 Technical Challenges

Developing complex model-based battery control & estimation algorithms for implementation into BMS Flight Software.
Ensuring High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System requirement sets are complete and correct, with traceability to and fulfilling higher-level requirements.
Creating test procedures to verify features in unit test, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) test, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test environments.
Collaborating with various teams, including pilots, operators, maintainers, human factors, and other system engineers, to optimize performance and capability of the High Voltage Power System / Battery Management System functions.

🌱 Learning & Development Opportunities

Working on cutting-edge battery management system controls development for an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Collaborating with a diverse team of experts in aerospace, electrical engineering, and software development.
Gaining experience in a fast-paced, innovative startup environment with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development within the battery management system controls and aerospace industries.

💡 Interview Preparation

💭 Technical Questions

Controls & System Design: Prepare for questions about architecture definition, trade studies, multidisciplinary integration, and battery control algorithms. Brush up on your knowledge of model-based design environments, MATLAB/Simulink, and aviation protocols.
Requirements Management: Expect questions about requirement set completeness, correctness, traceability, and cross-functional interface management. Familiarize yourself with requirement management tools like Polarion or Jira.
Test & Evaluation: Be ready to discuss test procedure creation, verification test plans, and integration activities. Brush up on your knowledge of unit tests, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) tests, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) tests.

💬 Company & Culture Questions

Prepare for questions about Archer's mission, values, and company culture. Research the all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft industry and Archer's role within it.
Expect questions about your fit within the team, your collaborative mindset, and your ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.

📝 Portfolio Presentation Strategy

Highlight your experience with battery management system controls development, model-based software development, and regulated industries.
Showcase your problem-solving skills, collaborative mindset, and passion for learning through your past projects and achievements.
Prepare a live demo or presentation of your most relevant work, focusing on the technical aspects and your role in the project's success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer position at Archer:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Customize your resume and portfolio to emphasize your relevant experience and skills in battery management system controls development, model-based software development, and regulated industries.
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of battery control algorithms, model-based design environments, and aviation protocols. Practice problem-solving exercises and be ready to discuss your past projects and achievements.
Research Archer's mission, values, and company culture to ensure a strong fit and prepare for company-specific interview questions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Sr. Battery Controls & Systems Engineer