At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and enhance the Android app for a cutting-edge consumer product.
- Company: Join Archer, a leader in next-gen aerospace technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with AI-assisted development tools.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that shape the future of air mobility.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering with strong Kotlin skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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.
Archer is best known for Midnight, our electric aircraft. This role isn't on that program. The AI Products Org builds consumer software for the general aviation industry. There's a lot we're not ready to talk about publicly yet, so this posting stays vague on purpose. What we can say: the products are real, they ship, and people use them every day.
As the Staff Android Engineer, you'll own the Android app of a mature consumer product — one that's been featured in the app stores multiple times and has a real user base that opens it every day. The iOS and Android apps are close to feature parity, and in a couple of places Android is ahead. You'd own the Android side: new features, refinements, and keeping both platforms moving together as the product evolves.
What You’ll Do:
- Own the Android app of a mature, production consumer product: new features, refinements, and keeping it in step with iOS as both evolve. You'll be reading Swift regularly, even if you never write it.
- Make the parity-vs-platform-convention call constantly, and defend your reasoning.
- Ship. Play Store releases, crash triage, performance on the long tail of Android hardware — the unglamorous parts are part of the job.
- Work on new and different projects (mobile, web apps, internal tools) as opportunities come up across the org. This is where the generalist part of your skill set earns its keep.
- Work the way this team works: AI-assisted development is the default here, not a novelty. We use Claude Code daily and expect you to be fluent with agentic coding tools — or to get fluent fast and honestly, we'll be able to tell which.
What You Need:
- 7+ years of software engineering experience, mostly on user-facing client software that shipped in the Play Store.
- Bachelor's, or equivalent experience in Computer Science.
- Solid Kotlin experience, and enough compose to have opinions about it.
- Real 0→1 experience — you've built the first version of something, not just contributed to a long-lived codebase someone else stood up.
- Comfort with ambiguity. If you need a fully scoped program before you can start, this won't be a fit.
Bonus Qualifications:
- You can write Swift, not just read it.
- Web frontend experience (React or similar).
- Full stack experience — useful here, but not required.
- You've shipped in a regulated or safety-adjacent industry and know how that changes engineering culture.
About The Team:
AI Products is a roughly 100-person software org inside a company of aerospace engineers, and we expect to grow substantially over the next year. You get the resources and momentum of a real org, but the products themselves are early.
Staff Software Engineer, Android in Havant employer: Archer56
Archer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Silicon Valley where innovation meets inclusivity. As a Staff Software Engineer for Android, you'll be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to developing cutting-edge consumer software for the aviation industry, with ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration on diverse projects. Archer's commitment to diversity and equitable practices ensures that every team member's unique contributions are valued, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer, Android in Havant
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Archer56 or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Archer56.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Archer56.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Archer56 that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer, Android in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Archer56.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Archer56 and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Archer56
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Archer56 uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.