Junior Cost and Value Engineer

What you'll do

• Work with our Lead Cost Engineer on the setup of Hypersonica’s Cost  Engineering function and develop tools and content from the ground up
•  Support on building and maintaining product cost models, creating transparency  on cost structures and key drivers across materials, manufacturing, assembly, and test
•  Support make-vs-buy analyses as the company scales toward manufacturing,  and model the cost implications of Hypersonica's modular architecture,  including variant management and upgrade paths
• Support the supply chain management team to exchange with key suppliers and  be part of the tendering process
• Develop affordability and life-cycle cost models tailored to European defence  procurement frameworks, supporting Hypersonica's mission to make hypersonic  capability accessible across NATO
• Support Programmes in preparing competitive offers and cost estimations

Who you are

• Experience: 4+ years in cost and value engineering in a defence or aerospace  context
• Education: Degree in industrial, manufacturing, mechanical, or design  engineering (or equivalent), or training in a technical or production environment  with later focus on cost engineering topics
• Technical depth: Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes (especially composites, ceramics, milling) and cost drivers for advanced metals (including high-temperature alloys), thermal protection systems, and propulsion components
• Methods & tools: Experience with should-cost modelling, parametric estimation, or simulation-based cost engineering
• Defence context: Familiarity with European defence procurement and export control regimes (e.g. ITAR/EAR) is a strong plus
• Mindset: Entrepreneurial, hands-on, and comfortable with ambiguity — ready to  build this function from scratch in a fast-moving startup where you'll operate  autonomously and wear multiple hats

What we offer

A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.

Security and Eligibility Requirement

Due to the nature of the work we undertake, applicants must be a EU/Nato/German citizen, and be eligible for German Security Clearance.