RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Quality Systems & Certification - Design and operate a digital QMS that supports traceability, scalability, and compliance to AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 27001. Lead audit readiness, surveillance audits, and maintain compliance with internal and external quality requirements. Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), manage NCR processes, and continuously improve internal quality performance. Build and maintain systems required to support FAA Type Certification, Production Certification, or Operational Approval for unmanned systems.
- Production Quality & Reliability - Establish and enforce quality standards across internal manufacturing and final assembly, including receiving inspection, in-process inspections, and final vehicle release. Partner with Production and Engineering to improve yield, minimize rework, and implement standard repair processes. Provide oversight of special processes (welding, bonding, coatings, NDE) to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Supplier Quality & Integration - Oversee supplier quality activities including audits, surveillance, source inspection, and incoming inspection requirements. Drive root cause analysis and corrective action with suppliers to reduce escape rates and improve upstream quality.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration - Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and serviceability through close partnership with Engineering. Influence configuration management and product definition to improve traceability, buildability, and sustainment support. Collaborate on field return assessments and design feedback loops to improve durability and support.
- UAV & FAA Certification Support - Lead or support conformity inspections and FAA production readiness activities under Part 21, Part 23, Part 91, or Part 135. Ensure documentation traceability and build integrity to meet requirements for airworthiness release, flight test, and operational deployment of UAVs. Maintain audit trails and inspection records to support aircraft certification and production authority.
- Team Leadership & Development - Build, lead, and mentor a small, high-output team of quality engineers, inspectors, and reliability specialists. Foster a culture of accountability, action, and cross-functional integration rather than siloed gatekeeping. Action-oriented with a “solutions, not roadblocks” mindset.
MIMIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, or related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of quality and reliability experience in aerospace, defense, or UAV sectors, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated success operating in DoD-regulated production environments, with knowledge of FAR/DFARS, MIL-STDs, and DCMA processes.
- Hands-on experience implementing or maintaining AS9100, ISO9001, and ISO27001 compliant QMS.
- Experience supporting FAA aircraft certification or production approvals—preferably for unmanned or novel aircraft systems.
- Direct experience with field returns, sustainment quality, and lifecycle service tracking.
- Working knowledge of FAA regulations: Part 21 (Certification Procedures), Part 23 (Aircraft Certification), Part 91 (General Operating Rules), and/or Part 135 (Commuter and On-Demand Operations).
- Familiarity with NDE methods and equipment (e.g., ultrasonic, X-ray, dye penetrant).
- Experience with or knowledge of AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) requirements.
- Proficiency in Metrology principles and calibration management.
- Understanding of ASME Y14.5 GD&T standards for technical drawings and inspection.
- Deep understanding of root cause analysis tools (8D, Fishbone, FMEA, Pareto, etc.).
- Ability to interpret and act on engineering models, CAD data, BOMs, and inspection plans.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or similar ASQ certification.
- Experience with digital QMS and e-QMS platforms.
- Experience managing FAA conformity and airworthiness inspections.
- Experience with field data acquisition, telemetry analysis, and reliability prediction tools.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity-related quality (e.g., DFARS 252.204-7012 compliance).
Top Skills
What We Do
Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.
Utilizing an integrated, hardware-rich, iterative development approach to aircraft design and build, Hermeus aims to deliver advanced air power at a pace not seen in the U.S. since the 1950s. Hermeus’ current Quarterhorse Program is actively unlocking unmanned high-speed flight. One program, four aircraft – each purpose-built to unlock a specific technical challenge, advance learnings, and incrementally de-risk critical technology in the pursuit of hypersonic aircraft.
Today, Hermeus is building its second Quarterhorse vehicle, Mk 2, after having designed, built, and flight tested its predecessor, Mk 1, in 18 months. Capable of reaching speeds of Mach 3+, Quarterhorse Mk 2 will be the fastest uncrewed military aircraft in service for national defense. The final iteration of Quarterhorse, Mk 4, will be capable of transitioning from turbofan to ramjet mode utilizing a Hermeus-developed turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion system to achieve sustained speeds of Mach 5+.
Hermeus' approach of build-fly-build lays the groundwork for unlocking hypersonic flight at a pace and cost previously deemed impossible. America needs fast planes fast – and Hermeus is delivering them.
Why Work With Us
We prioritize hardware and people. Cutting-edge technology is only made possible by bringing together a world-class team. At Hermeus, you will be challenged – but also empowered. We encourage calculated risks taking and learning from our mistakes. Iteration is the name of the game.
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