Responsibilities
- Provide design feedback to improve manufacturability, assembly, testability, and integration for complex fluid and propulsion systems.
- Establish and maintain build roadmaps for assigned assemblies to align key stakeholders, drive hardware and tooling deliveries, and minimize build serialization.
- Develop and release build CONOPS, work instructions, standard processes, and procedures to enable high-quality, high-velocity execution.
- Lead and support first-article builds in an early-stage, rapid-development environment, identifying and resolving issues in real time.
- Own design, process, and capital equipment trades to unlock key production capabilities and support scalable manufacturing infrastructure.
- Drive make-vs-buy decisions and collaborate closely with design engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
- Provide hands-on support during build, integration, and test operations, ensuring technical issues are addressed quickly and effectively.
- Support test readiness activities, including component and system pressurization, leak checks, actuator functional tests, and propulsion integration.
- Drive continuous improvement across the production floor — including tooling, ERP/MES workflows, build documentation, and internal specifications.
- Champion a safety-first mindset, especially during hazardous or high-pressure operations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in hardware integration, assembly, or manufacturing of fluid, propulsion, or mechanical systems.
- Familiarity with aerospace assembly best practices, including precision fitting, torque control, and contamination prevention.
- Exposure to tolerance stack-up analysis, system P&ID development, actuator testing, leak checks, and valve assembly or test.
- Strong understanding of GD&T, CAD modeling, and first-principles design and analysis.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively across design, manufacturing, supply chain, and test organizations.
- Demonstrated initiative and ownership, with the ability to define and implement new processes from scratch.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience supporting new product introduction or flight hardware integration in an aerospace or defense environment.
- Direct experience authoring and executing build work instructions and leading complex first-time build efforts.
- Familiarity with pressurized systems, hazardous operations, or test campaigns involving cryogenic, pneumatic, or propellant systems.
- Experience with welded tube, valve, or manifold assemblies (TIG, MIG, or laser welding).
- Exposure to R&D or low-rate production environments, including vendor engagement, tooling development, and hands-on troubleshooting.
- Strong systems-level understanding of propulsion and fluid control architectures.
Additional Requirements
- Must be willing to be hands-on in a manufacturing and test environment daily.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work safely around high-pressure systems and industrial equipment.
- Extended or flexible hours may be required to support critical build and test milestones.
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.
Gallery
