Tooling Engineer

Reposted 5 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Los Angeles, CA, USA
In-Office
139K-187K Annually
Entry level
Aerospace • Hardware • Manufacturing
Hermeus is a aircraft manufacturer focused on rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft.
The Role
The Tooling Engineer will design and develop tooling, fixtures, and support equipment for advanced aircraft prototypes, collaborating with various engineering teams to ensure effective integration and performance.
Summary Generated by Built In
Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.

A Tooling Build Engineer on the Manufacturing team is responsible for the design, development, and validation of innovative tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment that enable the prototyping, integration, and testing of advanced structural assemblies. This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development.

Responsibilities

  • Own the design, fabrication, and implementation of advanced tooling, fixtures, and integration aids to support R&D, prototype builds, and test campaigns.
  • Partner with structures, manufacturing, and test teams to define tooling requirements, integration flow, and process interfaces.
  • Collaborate across engineering disciplines and external vendors to deliver rapid, high-precision prototype tooling solutions.
  • Leverage advanced materials and manufacturing methods, including additive and composite fabrication, to enhance performance and efficiency.
  • Perform design validations, mechanical checks, and hands-on trials to qualify tooling for development and production use.
  • Drive continuous improvement by developing and implementing tooling upgrades that reduce build time, improve accuracy, and streamline operations.
  • Maintain documentation, configuration control, and safety standards across all tooling systems.
  • Coordinate schedule, priorities, and vendor relationships to ensure tooling deliverables align with critical R&D and integration milestones.
  • Act as a key interface between engineering and build teams to resolve integration challenges and sustain build velocity.

Requirements

  • Strong engineering first principles. 
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or related engineering field. 
  • Hands-on experience with physical hardware (internships, labs, project teams all count). 
  • Proven ability to design, build, break, and iterate quickly. 
  • Comfort with CAD, test equipment, hand tools. 
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, welding, forming, etc.) and GD&T fundamentals. 

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication methods including machining, additive manufacturing, composites, and rapid prototyping.
  • Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for tooling design and iteration.
  • Knowledge of GD&T and ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings to prototype development.
  • Familiarity with R&D environments and early-stage design-build-test cycles for high-performance aerospace systems.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to experiment, adapt, and iterate quickly in ambiguous development settings.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, prototype build, and test teams.
  • Knowledge of lean prototyping and continuous improvement principles in low-volume, experimental environments.

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.
 

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or related engineering field
  • Hands-on experience with physical hardware
  • Strong engineering first principles
  • Comfort with CAD, test equipment, and hand tools
  • Familiarity with manufacturing processes and GD&T fundamentals

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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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The Company
HQ: Atlanta, GA
270 Employees
Year Founded: 2018

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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