---
title: 'Senior Software Simulation Engineer at Hermeus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-simulation-engineer-hermeus-los-angeles-m5s1zcz92qjf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Senior Software Simulation Engineer at Hermeus

- **Company:** Hermeus
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $150k–$190k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-11-06
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus/5d43ea57-060d-442e-adab-9a3291120fc7

## 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:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Software Simulation Engineer to join Hermeus, a hypersonic aircraft startup company. As a Senior Software Simulation Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and deploying real-time simulation environments that support the design, verification, and validation of aerospace flight control and avionics systems. Leveraging Model-Based Design (MBD) principles, you will use MATLAB/Simulink and automated code generation tools to translate dynamic system models into executable real-time code for Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing.

This role bridges the gap between control system design and embedded software implementation, ensuring accurate representation of aircraft dynamics and system behavior under simulated flight conditions. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate models with real-time targets, optimize simulation performance, and contribute to the certification and reliability of flight-critical systems.

Ideal candidates will have a solid understanding of aerospace systems, control theory, and real-time simulation platforms, along with hands-on experience in model-based code generation, HIL development, and test automation within safety-critical environments.

## Responsibilities

- Develop and maintain real-time simulation environments for flight control, avionics, and aircraft systems.
- Build and support SIL and HIL test environments for flight software verification.
- Use MATLAB/Simulink and Model-Based Design workflows to create models and generate real-time code.
- Integrate aircraft dynamics, controls, sensors, actuators, and avionics models into simulation environments.
- Connect models with real-time targets, embedded software, and hardware interfaces.
- Improve simulation performance, timing, fidelity, and reliability.
- Create automated test scripts and tools to support repeatable validation.
- Work closely with GNC, flight software, avionics, systems, and test teams to debug and validate system behavior.
- Support documentation, requirements traceability, and verification activities for flight-critical systems.

Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in simulation, controls, embedded software, or real-time test environments.
- Hands-on experience with MATLAB, Simulink, and Model-Based Design.
- Experience with code generation tools such as Simulink Coder or Embedded Coder.
- Understanding of aircraft dynamics, control systems, avionics, or embedded aerospace systems.
- Experience with SIL, HIL, or real-time simulation environments.
- Proficiency in C/C++, Python, or similar programming languages.
- Strong debugging skills across software, models, and hardware interfaces.
- Ability to work across teams in a fast-paced engineering environment

Preferred Skills and Experience:

- Experience with real-time platforms such as Speedgoat, dSPACE, NI VeriStand, or OPAL-RT.
- Experience supporting flight controls, GNC, avionics, autonomy, or aircraft systems.
- Familiarity with interfaces such as CAN, Ethernet, ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, RS-422, or serial.
- Experience with automated testing, CI/CD, Git, or software configuration management.
- Familiarity with safety-critical aerospace standards such as DO-178C, DO-331, or DO-254.
- Experience integrating simulation environments with flight software or test hardware.
- Background in aircraft, UAVs, spacecraft, defense systems, or other complex aerospace platforms.
- Strong ownership mindset and ability to build practical tools that help teams test and iterate quickly.

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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