Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager

At Archer, the Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager plays a key role in overseeing the entire air vehicle program, from concept to certification and production. You'll manage multiple development programs, coordinate with cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance, and ensure timely delivery while adhering to budget constraints.

To be considered for the Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager position at Archer, you'll need a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, along with at least 10 years of program management experience specifically in the aerospace or aviation industry. Part of your background should ideally include experience in managing composite airframe programs.

Archer takes pride in fostering a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusivity. We believe that a diverse team breeds creativity and innovation. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for the Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager role, and we are committed to providing an equitable environment for everyone.

Absolutely! As the Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager at Archer, you’ll have a significant influence on technical decisions and trade studies associated with airframe design and manufacturing. Your expertise will guide crucial decisions that directly impact the project and the future of sustainable air mobility.

The salary range for the Air Vehicle Principal Program Manager at Archer is targeted between $224,000 and $280,000, depending on your qualifications, experience, and the skills you bring to the role. We also emphasize a pay-for-performance culture to reward your achievements.

In answering this question, be specific about your past roles where you managed air vehicle systems, detailing the types of systems you worked on and any significant achievements. If possible, relate it back to the role at Archer and how your experience can benefit their air vehicle program.

Explain your methodology for identifying and assessing risks, how you prioritize them, and how you go about developing risk mitigation strategies. Provide examples from your past experiences that showcase your successful management in high-stakes environments.

Share a specific situation where you successfully led a cross-functional team. Highlight the challenges faced, your leadership style, and the outcomes. Prepare to discuss how you bridged any gaps between different departments to achieve a common goal.

Discuss your approach to project planning, including how you set realistic deadlines, allocate resources, and track spending. Providing an example of a project where you efficiently managed schedules and kept within budget will solidify your answer.

List the professional associations, journals, and conferences you engage with that keep you informed. Mention any specific areas of aviation/aerospace innovation you are particularly interested in and how those insights could align with Archer’s mission.

Detail your experience with the FAA certification process, including any specific projects where you navigated certification requirements. Discuss your understanding of what it takes to achieve compliance and how you ensure that all project documentation is thorough and accurate.

Provide insights into your experience working with composite materials in aerospace applications. Talk about material selection, manufacturing processes, and any past projects that are relevant to airframe development at Archer.

Discuss your strategy for effectively managing conflict, focusing on your communication skills and problem-solving approach. Provide an example where your conflict resolution improved team dynamics and project outcomes.

List the KPIs you believe are essential for effective program management, including metrics related to budget, schedule, technical performance, and stakeholder satisfaction. Explain how you use these metrics to drive project success.

Share how you proactively communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed, engaged, and aligned. Provide examples of effective communication strategies that have led to successful projects in your previous roles.