Executive Protection Lead

About the 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.

Job Overview

As Archer grows in profile and reach, protecting our executives and principals wherever they live, work, and travel is mission-critical. Reporting to the Sr. Director, Global Security, the Head of Executive Protection owns Archer's executive protection program globally, covering residential, travel, office, event, and public-appearance protection, along with advance work, protective intelligence, and threat and risk assessment.

This is a builder's role and a player/coach role. You are not only managing a program, you are doing the job alongside your team, personally leading protective details and setting the standard by example. You may come from executive protection directly, or from a related operational background such as special operations, the military, or law enforcement.

What matters most is that you can demonstrate the ability to build something from the ground up and that you bring credible, hands-on protective or operational experience. We are looking for a protector who can write the protocols, stand up the details, earn the trust of principals, and still operate in the field.

Key Responsibilities

Protective Operations (Player/Coach)

• Personally plan and lead protective details for Archer executives and principals, setting the standard through hands-on execution, not only oversight.
• Provide close protection across residence, office, travel (domestic and international), events, and public appearances.
• Serve as a protective/secure driver for the CEO and principals as needed, including route planning and defensive/evasive driving, not solely on-foot close protection.
• Conduct and oversee advance work, including site surveys, route planning, venue assessments, and coordination with local resources.
• Maintain a discreet, low-profile posture that protects principals while respecting their privacy, schedules, and the way they work.

Program Leadership & Building

• Own and scale Archer's executive protection program globally, designing the protocols, standards, and operating procedures that define how EP is delivered.
• Build, lead, mentor, and schedule a team of protection agents and/or vetted vendor resources, holding all to a high standard of professionalism and discretion.
• Remain nimble and willing to work outside a fixed job description to move the program forward.

Threat, Intelligence & Risk

• Lead threat and risk assessments for principals, residences, events, and travel, and drive appropriate mitigations.
• Partner with the GSOC and intelligence function on protective intelligence, monitoring, and 24/7 support to details in the field.
• Develop and maintain emergency and crisis response plans for principals, and lead response when incidents occur.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Build trusted relationships with principals, their families, and their support staff, anticipating needs and adapting to preferences.
• Partner closely and continuously with executive assistants, aligning on schedules, travel, and frequent last-minute changes so protection stays seamless.
• Coordinate closely with the Global Security Operations Manager, travel security, Facilities, People, Legal, and site leadership.
• Communicate clearly and collaboratively across all levels of the business, bringing protective expertise that shapes decisions.

Required Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience in executive protection, or in a related operational field such as special operations, the military, or law enforcement. Direct experience leading protective details for senior executives or high-profile principals is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build a program, capability, or function from the ground up. You must be able to show that you can create something from nothing.
• Strong candidates will bring both build capability and relevant protective or operational experience.
• A genuine player/coach: willing and able to personally run details in the field, not just direct a team.
• Deep expertise in advance work, protective intelligence, threat and risk assessment, and secure travel.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and schedule protection teams and/or manage vendor agents.
• Exceptional discretion and judgment in handling sensitive situations and information.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to earn the trust of principals and collaborate across the business.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to serve as a protective/secure driver for principals, including defensive/evasive driving.
• Ability to obtain a nationwide concealed carry permit (CCW), or existing LEOSA (H.R. 218) carry authority.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including on short notice, and to work irregular hours as principal schedules require.
• Ability to stay nimble and fluid in the face of frequent last-minute changes to schedules, travel, and plans, adjusting protective posture in real time.
• Ability to work hand in hand with executive assistants, building the close, trusting relationships that keep protection aligned with principals' day-to-day plans.
• Uncompromising ethics and integrity, and the self-awareness to admit mistakes quickly and learn from them.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active U.S. government security clearance.
• Background in federal protective service, military, or law enforcement (e.g., protective operations, Diplomatic Security, or equivalent).
• Formal executive protection training and relevant certifications.
• Emergency medical or first-responder training (e.g., first aid/CPR, TECC/TCCC).
• Experience protecting principals in aerospace, defense, technology, or another high-profile, multi-site environment.

Additional information

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

Pay and benefits

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $163,500 - $204,400. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.

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. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.