Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.
About The Role:
As a Senior Operations and Test Engineer at Hermeus, you will help develop, test, and operate advanced aircraft systems through hands-on integration, checkout, development testing, and taxi test campaigns. This role blends engineering, operations, and automation, with a focus on building standardized processes and tools that make vehicle testing safer, faster, and more repeatable. You will work closely with technicians, specialists, and cross-functional engineering teams to support hardware integration, troubleshoot off-nominal results, improve test readiness, and turn lessons learned into better procedures, equipment, and workflows. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role for someone who is comfortable working around complex and hazardous systems, enjoys solving problems in real time, and can help drive reliable operations in a rapid hardware development environment.
Responsibilities:
Develop and standardize procedures/automation for the checkouts, integration, development testing, and taxi testing of new and flight-proven vehicles, rapidly iterating based on lessons learned
Design software and automation tools to enable autonomous vehicle operations, and to conduct vehicle system testing in ways that reduce complexity
Assist with integration and testing of flight hardware, partnering with and providing direction to highly skilled field technicians and specialists daily
Ensure test and flight readiness by reviewing test results and working with other teams to resolve off-nominal test results, collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and locations on a regular basis
Identify opportunities to improve existing processes and equipment to eliminate small scale production waste
Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and systematic improvements
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
3+ years of experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems
Preferred Skills and Experience:
Expert level first-principles engineering knowledge
Experience working with a variety of software systems and writing/de-bugging code
Experience writing test plans and test procedures
Experience (preferably hands-on) working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems
Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high voltage, high pressure, combustible fluids, etc.)
Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering
Ability to work long hours and some weekend as needed, to support critical milestones
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs; standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying maybe require to perform the functions of this positions.
Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns (up to 50%)
Must be eligible to pass Air Force background checks