Hermeus is an aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate air travel by delivering hypersonic aircraft. The company aims to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively by integrating hardware-rich, iterative development with modern computing and autonomy. This approach has been validated through design, build, and test of the company’s first combined turbojet-ramjet engine and is now being scaled through its first flight vehicle program, Quarterhorse. Hermeus is also developing Darkhorse — an uncrewed hypersonic aircraft designed to deliver unique asymmetric capabilities to the warfighter.
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Flight Software Engineer to join Hermeus, a hypersonic aircraft startup company. As a Lead Flight Software Engineer, you will work closely with our hardware and systems engineers to design, develop, and implement software for our cutting-edgeaircraft systems.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the flight software development team, overseeing the design, implementation, and integration of embedded flight software across multiple systems, ensuring all software meets high standards of performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and maintain embedded flight software for our aircraft systems, including flight control, navigation, communication, and avionics systems.
- Collaborate with hardware engineers to ensure seamless integration of software and hardware components.
- Drive the architecture and design decisions for flight software, ensuring the software framework is scalable, maintainable, and integrates effectively with other systems.
- Own the technical roadmap for flight software development, working with cross-functional teams to prioritize projects, allocate resources, and define long-term goals.Participate in code and design reviews to ensure high-quality software.
- Own the overall testing strategy for flight software, ensuring comprehensive testing of both software and integrated systems through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.Work with systems engineers to develop and execute system-level tests and simulations.
- Take the lead in developing safety-critical flight software, ensuring it meets rigorous safety standards (e.g., DO-178C) and is thoroughly documented for certification and regulatory approval.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in embedded flight software development, with at least 1 year in a leadership or senior technical role.
- Professional experience programmingin C/C++ and experience with embedded flight software development tools and methodologies.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS), low-level hardware interfaces (e.g., SPI, I2C, UART, etc.), and software development for microcontrollers.
- Familiarity with safety-critical software development processes, such as DO-178C or equivalent.
- Knowledge of avionics systems, flight control systems, and navigation systems.
- Experience with system-level testing and simulation tools.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Experience working in a startup environment is a plus.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
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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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