Hermeus

Develops hypersonic defense aircraft and engines

Propulsion Component Responsible Engineer

PropulsionConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeLos Angeles, CA, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field is required.
At least 5 years of experience developing mechanical or propulsion-related hardware is required.
Experience contributing to hardware through design, build, and test cycles is required.
Strong fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, mechanics, and materials are required.
Hands-on experience with mechanical design, assembly, or integration is required.
Willingness to work hands-on in build, integration, and test environments is required.
Ability to support extended hours during critical test campaigns is required.
Willingness to travel to support hardware builds and flight tests is required.
Must be eligible to access export-controlled information.

Responsibilities

Own propulsion components, including valves, actuation systems, and fluid control hardware, from concept through flight-ready delivery.
Design for extreme environments, including high pressure, temperature, and transient operating conditions.
Drive engineering trade studies across performance, manufacturability, reliability, and testability.
Execute clean-sheet design, analysis, and integration of propulsion components.
Support hardware through rapid build-test-iterate cycles.
Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis during development and test.
Work with propulsion and vehicle system owners to define requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies.
Perform system-level sizing, architecture, and design trades.
Lead development testing, qualification, and acceptance of flight hardware.
Support transition from prototype to repeatable, production-ready designs.
Define operational limits and ensure reliability and safety across all phases of use.
Make risk-informed engineering decisions aligned with program goals and timelines.
Prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving development environment.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with propulsion systems, high-pressure fluid systems, or aerospace mechanisms.
Experience designing components such as valves, actuators, or fluid control hardware.
Familiarity with high-temperature materials, sealing strategies, and failure modes.
Strong knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, tolerance stack-up, and precision assemblies.
Experience supporting hardware testing and resolving real-world failures.
Proficiency with computer-aided design tools (NX preferred) and analysis tools (ANSYS or similar).
Experience working in rapid hardware development environments, such as startups or flight programs.
Scripting experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar for analysis or automation.

Salary Range: 91800 to 187450 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

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.

About The Role:

As a Propulsion Component Responsible Engineer you will own the development of flight-critical mechanical and fluid system components, including valves, actuators, and integrated propulsion hardware. You will be responsible for taking hardware from clean-sheet design through build, test, qualification, and production, working in close collaboration with propulsion and vehicle teams. Your work will directly support systems operating in high-pressure, high-temperature, and dynamic flight environments.

Responsibilities:

Own propulsion components (e.g., valves, actuation systems, and fluid control hardware) from concept through flight-ready delivery
Design for extreme environments, including high pressure, temperature, and transient operating conditions
Drive engineering trade studies across performance, manufacturability, reliability, and testability
Execute clean-sheet design, analysis, and integration of propulsion components
Support hardware through rapid build–test–iterate cycles
Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis during development and test
Work with propulsion and vehicle system owners to define requirements, interfaces, and integration strategies
Perform system-level sizing, architecture, and design trades
Lead development testing, qualification, and acceptance of flight hardware
Support transition from prototype to repeatable, production-ready designs
Define operational limits and ensure reliability and safety across all phases of use
Make risk-informed engineering decisions aligned with program goals and timelines
Prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving development environment

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
5+ years of experience developing mechanical or propulsion-related hardware
Experience contributing to hardware through design, build, and test cycles
Strong fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, mechanics, and materials
Hands-on experience with mechanical design, assembly, or integration

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

Experience with propulsion systems, high-pressure fluid systems, or aerospace mechanisms
Experience designing components such as valves, actuators, or fluid control hardware
Familiarity with high-temperature materials, sealing strategies, and failure modes
Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and precision assemblies
Experience supporting hardware testing and resolving real-world failures
Proficiency with CAD tools (NX preferred) and analysis tools (ANSYS or similar)
Experience working in rapid hardware development environments (startup or flight programs)
Scripting experience (Python, MATLAB, or similar) for analysis or automation

Additional Requirements:

Willingness to work hands-on in build, integration, and test environments
Ability to support extended hours during critical test campaigns
Willingness to travel to support hardware builds and flight tests
Must be eligible to access export-controlled information

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.

Benefits:

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

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.

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About the Company

Hermeus

Develops hypersonic defense aircraft and engines

Hermeus designs and builds high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for defense, using uncrewed test platforms and a reusable propulsion system. Its core approach centers on the Quarterhorse testbed and the Chimera engine, a turbine-based combined cycle that starts in a turbojet mode for runway takeoff and transitions to a ramjet for speeds above Mach 5. The company differentiates itself with rapid, hardware-focused prototyping drawn from a spaceflight background and a clear path to production through government contracts with the DoD, DIU, and ABMS programs. Its near-term goal is to mature Quarterhorse and Darkhorse into production-capable systems for defense missions, while its long-term vision includes Halcyon, a 20-seat commercial airliner flying transatlantic routes in about 90 minutes.

Company size: 201-500
Company stage: Debt Financing
Total funding: $566M
Headquarters: Atlanta, GA
Founded: 2018

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