Propulsion Component Responsible Engineer

Job description

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