We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Mission Manager to support the successful expansion at our next-generation airbreathing propulsion test facility, HEAT, located in Jacksonville, FL. This role will work closely with the Chief Engineer and cross-functional teams to ensure the program milestones and deliverables are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with technical, operational, and stakeholder requirements.
The Mission Manager will serve as the main customer interface and contract deliverable owner, managing the day-to-day execution of the contract, milestones, deliverables, and customer stakeholder communication. This is a pivotal role that requires both strategic foresight and tactical execution in a highly technical, high-stakes environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a primary point of contact for the government customer, supporting regular status briefings, milestone reviews, and deliverable coordination.
- Ensure all program deliverables—including documentation, engineering artifacts, schedules, and contract-required reports—are developed, reviewed, approved, and submitted on time.
- Align on government expectations, technical direction, and contractual requirements, and translate them into actionable program activities.
- Ensure high-quality execution and compliance with all delivery commitments.
- Assist with development of the program schedule, milestones, and work breakdown structures (WBS) in collaboration with engineering leads and contractors.
- Track progress against cost, schedule, and performance baselines; provide regular updates to senior leadership and government stakeholders.
- Support the selection, onboarding, and oversight of suppliers and contractors, ensuring delivery of key work packages on time and to spec.
- Assist with subcontracts, statements of work (SOWs), deliverables, and performance milestones.
- Facilitate meetings, action tracking, and resolution of issues across engineering, logistics, safety, security, and operations functions.
- Ensure alignment between technical activities (led by the Chief Engineer) and broader program objectives, contract deliverables, and customer expectations.
- Maintain and update the project risk register; proactively identify, assess, and mitigate schedule, funding, or integration risks.
- Manage scope changes and assess impacts on schedule, cost, resources, and contract execution and deliverables.
- Assist in budget planning and monitoring; track obligations, expenditures, and funding profiles in coordination with finance teams.
- Assist with coordinating resource needs and staffing plans to ensure adequate coverage across phases of the project and timely contract execution.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- 5–10 years of experience managing complex technical programs or infrastructure projects, preferably in aerospace, defense, or R&D environments.
- Demonstrated experience in direct execution of deliverables under contract to a government customer.
- Strong understanding of project management best practices (e.g., execution, risk analysis, scheduling, budget planning).
- Familiarity with propulsion test infrastructure, ground test facilities, or aerospace systems integration.
- Experience managing external suppliers and contractors in high-complexity technical environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at briefing senior leadership and managing multi-stakeholder dynamics.
- Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence).
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a US Security Clearance (TS preferred).
Benefits:
Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more!
100% employer-paid health care
401k & Retirement Plans
Unlimited PTO
Weekly Paid Office Lunches
End of Year Bonuses
Fully stocked breakrooms
Stock Options
Paid Parental Leave
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- Master's or PhD
- 5-10 years managing complex technical programs or infrastructure projects (aerospace/defense/R&D preferred)
- Demonstrated execution of deliverables under contract to a government customer
- Strong understanding of project management best practices (execution, risk analysis, scheduling, budget planning)
- Familiarity with propulsion test infrastructure, ground test facilities, or aerospace systems integration
- Experience managing external suppliers and contractors in high-complexity technical environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication; experience briefing senior leadership
- Proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Jira, Confluence)
- U.S. Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance (Top Secret preferred)
Hermeus Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Hermeus and has not been reviewed or approved by Hermeus.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare is described as employer-paid for employees and dependents, including dental and vision. Feedback suggests this substantially reduces healthcare burden and strengthens overall total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The package includes unlimited PTO for exempt employees, generous accrued PTO for non‑exempt staff, and observed federal holidays. Feedback suggests this breadth aims to support work‑life balance.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Stock options are guaranteed with all full‑time offers, with potential for additional grants based on performance. Feedback suggests this provides ownership upside alongside base pay and bonuses.
Hermeus Insights
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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