---
title: 'Senior Operations and Test Engineer at Hermeus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-operations-and-test-engineer-hermeus-los-angeles-97bwvk3cdn67'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Senior Operations and Test Engineer at Hermeus

- **Company:** Hermeus
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $139k–$187k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-04-25
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus/447c33d5-ef60-4c5e-a3b4-3caf5d353940

## 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 Senior Operations and Test Engineer at Hermeus, you will help develop, test, and operate advanced aircraft systems through hands-on integration, checkout, development testing, and taxi test campaigns. This role blends engineering, operations, and automation, with a focus on building standardized processes and tools that make vehicle testing safer, faster, and more repeatable. You will work closely with technicians, specialists, and cross-functional engineering teams to support hardware integration, troubleshoot off-nominal results, improve test readiness, and turn lessons learned into better procedures, equipment, and workflows. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role for someone who is comfortable working around complex and hazardous systems, enjoys solving problems in real time, and can help drive reliable operations in a rapid hardware development environment.

Responsibilities:

- Develop and standardize procedures/automation for the checkouts, integration, development testing, and taxi testing of new and flight-proven vehicles, rapidly iterating based on lessons learned
- Design software and automation tools to enable autonomous vehicle operations, and to conduct vehicle system testing in ways that reduce complexity
- Assist with integration and testing of flight hardware, partnering with and providing direction to highly skilled field technicians and specialists daily
- Ensure test and flight readiness by reviewing test results and working with other teams to resolve off-nominal test results, collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and locations on a regular basis
- Identify opportunities to improve existing processes and equipment to eliminate small scale production waste
- Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and systematic improvements

Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems

Preferred Skills and Experience:

- Expert level first-principles engineering knowledge
- Experience working with a variety of software systems and writing/de-bugging code
- Experience writing test plans and test procedures
- Experience (preferably hands-on) working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems
- Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high voltage, high pressure, combustible fluids, etc.)
- Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
- Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
- Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
- Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
- Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering
- Ability to work long hours and some weekend as needed, to support critical milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs; standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying maybe require to perform the functions of this positions.
- Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns (up to 50%)
- Must be eligible to pass Air Force background checks

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.

## #LI-JC3

## About Hermeus

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Hermeus is an aerospace and defense company building the world’s fastest aircraft through rapid iterative prototyping, targeting high-Mach and hypersonic flight for national security and commercial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series C, ~$350M raised in latest round)
- **Headquarters**: Hawthorne, California, USA (primary HQ at 3401 Jack Northrop Ave; additional offices in Los Angeles/El Segundo, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Washington, D.C.)
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: AJ Piplica, Glenn Case, Skyler Shuford, Michael Smayda

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing; Defense Technology
- **Target customers**: B2G (primarily U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations), with future potential in commercial high-speed travel
- **Mission**: Build the world’s fastest aircraft by reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping, delivering high-speed systems that provide an asymmetric advantage for the nation and its allies.

## Products & Services
- **Quarterhorse Program**: A series of four purpose-built unmanned aircraft, each designed to unlock a specific technical challenge and incrementally de-risk hypersonic technology. The first aircraft flew in 2025, and the company reached supersonic flight just 364 days later—the fastest time from founding to supersonic flight in aviation history.
- **High-Speed Propulsion Systems**: Development of air-breathing engines, including testing at the High Enthalpy Airbreathing Test (HEAT) facility in Jacksonville, FL, using Pratt & Whitney F100 engines as a baseline.
- **Hypersonic Aircraft Platforms**: Future planned vehicles aimed at affordable, reusable hypersonic flight for defense and eventually commercial passengers.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (conflicting reports; PitchBook lists latest Series C at $350M, total funding ~$566M)
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding ~$566M (9 rounds); Annual Revenue estimated at $5.6M (LinkedIn data, likely early-stage).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Sam Altman (led Series B), Khosla Ventures (led Seed), United States Air Force ($60M grant), NASA (Non-Equity Assistance), and other defense-focused investors.
- **Growth Signals**: 286 employees (+42% YoY); 122,889 LinkedIn followers (+58.2% yearly); rapid expansion from concept to supersonic flight in under 7 years; multiple open positions across engineering, manufacturing, and operations.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Speed of Iteration**: Hermeus is the fastest company in aviation history to go from founding to supersonic flight (364 days after first flight), using a hardware-rich, test-early approach reminiscent of the Skunk Works era.
- **First-Principles Engineering**: Small, cross-disciplinary teams that own problems end-to-end, enabling rapid decision-making and prototyping.
- **Government & Strategic Relationships**: Deep ties with DoD, USAF, and NASA, providing both funding and clear mission requirements.
- **Facilities & Infrastructure**: Four locations covering design, manufacturing, propulsion testing, and policy engagement, including a 110,000 sq ft facility in Atlanta and a dedicated test site in Jacksonville.

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities**: Scaling the Quarterhorse program to achieve hypersonic flight; maturing engine and airframe integration; expanding manufacturing capacity; hiring top engineering and operations talent; deepening partnerships with defense customers.
- **Direction for growth**: Move from unmanned demonstrators to operational hypersonic aircraft for defense, and eventually develop a commercial high-speed air transport capability.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as "rapid, relentless iteration" with a "total disregard for what others say can't be done." Emphasizes extreme ownership, stubborn focus, and a small-team, high-impact environment.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: On-site roles required at Hawthorne (LA), Atlanta, Jacksonville, or D.C. (multiple open positions are on-site).
- **Notable Perks**:
  - 100% premium coverage for health, dental, and vision for employees and dependents
  - 3 months paid parental leave (100% pay) plus optional additional unpaid month
  - Stock options for all full-time offers with equity refresher program
  - 401k & retirement plans
  - Unlimited PTO for exempt employees (generous accrued PTO for non-exempt) plus 12 federal holidays
  - Free weekly lunches, dog-friendly offices, commuter benefits
- **Engineering Culture**: Hands-on, cross-functional teams; opportunities to work on flight hardware, propulsion, avionics, software, and test operations; fast promotion cycles for high performers.

## Sources
1. [Hermeus Careers](https://www.hermeus.com/careers)
2. [Hermeus Company Page](https://www.hermeus.com/company)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/hermeus)
4. [PitchBook Profile](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/267414-22)
5. [Lever Job Board](https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus)

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