Responsibilities
- Own R&D-focused structural design and development supporting vehicle subsystems such as hydraulics, fuel systems, propulsion, and avionics, with an emphasis on rapid prototyping and iteration
- Perform first-principles structural and thermal analyses using hand calculations and FEA to inform early design decisions and experimental validation
- Execute trade studies across mechanical, fluid, and avionics subsystems focused on performance, mass efficiency, and technical risk reduction
- Design, build, and test prototype hardware, owning development from concept through fabrication, integration, and experimental validation
- Collaborate closely with manufacturing and test teams to transition prototype concepts toward scalable, production-aware designs
- Support hands-on integration, troubleshooting, and test campaigns to quickly iterate and mature hardware
- Present technical findings in internal design reviews and contribute to cross-functional and supplier/customer technical discussions
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or physics
- 2+ years of experience in mechanical design, analysis, and experimental testing (internships and significant student project experience qualify), preferably in an R&D or prototype environment
Preferred Skills
- Strong hands-on experience with rapid prototyping, hardware build, and mechanical assembly of complex systems
- Solid foundation in engineering fundamentals including statics, dynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and vibration
- Proficiency in CAD (NX preferred), FEA (Ansys preferred), and PLM tools (Teamcenter preferred)
- Experience designing and testing hardware in early development environments, with awareness of design-for-manufacturing and production considerations
- Familiarity with mechanical testing under vibration, fatigue, shock, vacuum, and thermal loads
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines (fluids, avionics, manufacturing) to deliver integrated experimental systems
- Proven ownership of technically complex projects from concept through test and iteration
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical development milestones
- Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time
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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