About the Role
We are seeking a Software Engineer to own and evolve internally developed business applications, including applications initially created using AI-assisted or “vibe coding” development approaches.
This role will take ownership of applications as they transition from their original creators into long-term IT support. The engineer will be responsible for understanding the existing architecture and codebase, improving maintainability and reliability, resolving issues, implementing new functionality, and establishing the development practices necessary to operate these applications as supported enterprise services.
This is not simply an application support role. The ideal candidate is comfortable inheriting an unfamiliar codebase, identifying technical debt and risk, and making pragmatic decisions about when to refactor, rebuild, or continue developing what already exists.
Responsibilities
- Take technical ownership of internally developed applications as they transition from their original creators to IT.
- Learn and document existing application architecture, code, integrations, dependencies, data flows, and deployment processes.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and enhance existing applications based on business requirements.
- Review AI-generated and rapidly developed code for reliability, security, maintainability, and technical debt.
- Refactor or redesign components where necessary to establish a sustainable production application.
- Develop new application functionality, APIs, integrations, and automation.
- Establish appropriate source control, branching, code review, testing, and release practices.
- Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines and repeatable deployment processes.
- Partner with Infrastructure, DevOps, Security, and business stakeholders to ensure applications meet enterprise operational and security requirements.
- Implement appropriate authentication, authorization, logging, monitoring, secrets management, backup, and recovery capabilities.
- Troubleshoot production issues and perform root-cause analysis.
- Develop technical documentation and operational runbooks so applications can be supported by the broader IT organization.
- Evaluate AI-assisted development tools and techniques where they can improve development velocity without sacrificing maintainability or security.
- Help establish standards for transitioning future internally or AI-developed applications into production IT ownership.
Requirements
- 5+ years of professional software development or application engineering experience.
- Strong experience maintaining and extending existing production applications, not only building new applications.
- Experience with modern application development frameworks and REST APIs.
- Experience working with Git-based source control and software development lifecycle practices.
- Experience troubleshooting applications across code, infrastructure, integrations, and data layers.
- Experience with cloud-hosted applications, preferably AWS.
- Experience with Docker and containerized application deployment.
- Working knowledge of CI/CD, containers, infrastructure concepts, and modern deployment practices.
- Understanding of application security fundamentals including authentication, authorization, encryption, secrets management, and secure coding practices.
- Ability to quickly understand unfamiliar codebases and architectures.
- Strong documentation and communication skills.
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Experience with Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, or similar modern development languages.
- Experience with AWS services and cloud-native application architectures.
- Experience with Terraform or other Infrastructure-as-Code technologies.
- Experience integrating applications with enterprise platforms through APIs.
- Experience with identity platforms such as Microsoft Entra ID or Okta.
- Experience supporting applications developed using AI coding assistants, low-code platforms, or rapid application development approaches.
- Experience with relational databases, schema changes / migrations and data integrity.
- Familiarity with Kubernetes/EKS is a plus.
- Experience working in regulated or security-sensitive environments is a plus.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first several months, this engineer will be able to independently understand and support the existing application(s), eliminate critical knowledge dependencies on its original developer, establish a reliable development and deployment process, address significant technical debt or security concerns, and begin delivering enhancements requested by the business.
Longer term, this role will help establish a repeatable model for how internally developed and AI-assisted applications move from experimentation into secure, maintainable, production-supported services.
The salary range listed for this role is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope and responsibilities, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, market data, and business needs.
At Hermeus, compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive pay, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support our team.
- Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance
- Financial: Competitive pay, stock options, 401(k) retirement plan, and potential year-end bonuses
- Time Off: Paid parental leave, 12 federal holidays, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees
- Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms
#LI-JC3
Skills Required
- 5+ years of professional software development or application engineering experience
- Experience maintaining and extending existing production applications
- Experience with modern application development frameworks and REST APIs
- Experience with Git-based source control and software development lifecycle practices
- Experience troubleshooting applications across code, infrastructure, integrations, and data layers
- Experience with cloud-hosted applications, preferably AWS
- Experience with Docker and containerized application deployment
- Working knowledge of CI/CD, containers, infrastructure concepts, and modern deployment practices
- Understanding of application security fundamentals, including authentication, authorization, encryption, secrets management, and secure coding
- Ability to quickly understand unfamiliar codebases and architectures
- Strong documentation and communication skills
- Experience with Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, or similar modern development languages
- Experience with AWS services and cloud-native application architectures
- Experience with Terraform or other infrastructure-as-code technologies
- Experience integrating applications with enterprise platforms through APIs
- Experience with identity platforms such as Microsoft Entra ID or Okta
- Experience supporting applications developed using AI coding assistants, low-code platforms, or rapid application development approaches
- Experience with relational databases, schema changes or migrations, and data integrity
- Familiarity with Kubernetes or EKS
- Experience working in regulated or security-sensitive environments
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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