Arcier emigrated to the U.S. and became an American citizen in 1929. As an aircraft designer and engineer, he worked for a number of aircraft companies, including Wittemann (1919-25), Fokker (1925-28), General Airplanes Corp (1928-30), and Waco Aircraft Co (1930-47). Also was a science advisor at Wright-Patterson AFB from 1948 until his retirement in 1963, and continued his association with the USAF until 1968.