---
title: 'Sheet Metal Manufacturing Engineer at Hermeus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sheet-metal-manufacturing-engineer-hermeus-los-angeles-x7ebeyvq15nw'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Sheet Metal Manufacturing Engineer at Hermeus

- **Company:** Hermeus
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $95k–$145k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-05-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus/6ea3271e-4437-4729-b597-a3183de6a464

## 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 Sheet Metal Manufacturing Engineer to design, build, and lead the processes required to establish and operate our internal sheet metal fabrication shop. You will take full ownership of standing up new production capabilities, from design feedback and process definition to equipment procurement, qualification, and production ramp-up.

This role is highly hands-on, combining deep technical expertise with operational leadership to enable rapid, high-quality production of precision components supporting next-generation hypersonic aircraft.

## Responsibilities

- Define and implement end-to-end sheet metal manufacturing processes, including forming, cutting, and joining operations for complex aerospace components.
- Develop and communicate internal shop capabilities, including authoring work instructions, control plans, and process documentation.
- Own the schedule, capacity, and demand planning for the internal sheet metal shop; align build priorities with key stakeholders and proactively manage delivery risk.
- Support technicians and specialists on the production floor by troubleshooting issues, resolving non-conformances, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Collaborate closely with Design and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure design-for-manufacturability (DFM) is integrated into early development efforts.
- Coordinate with Supply Chain to establish and maintain raw material inventory, traceability, and procurement planning.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to expand internal shop capabilities, reduce lead times, and maintain exceptional part quality.
- Lead CapEx strategy, specification, and installation of new forming, cutting, and welding equipment to scale production capacity.
- Serve as a technical owner for all internal sheet metal fabrication operations, mentoring technicians and helping define future-state manufacturing infrastructure.

## Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, process development, or test engineering for aerospace or high-performance hardware (including internships or project teams).
- Familiarity with material properties and behavior for common aerospace sheet metals (aluminum, stainless steel, titanium).
- Working knowledge of forming, cutting, and joining processes and their process controls.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to drive root-cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on development environment with evolving priorities.

## Preferred Skills & Experience

- Experience managing or supporting medium-to-high volume manufacturing operations.
- Hands-on experience with sheet metal cutting (laser, waterjet), forming (press brake, rollers), or welding (TIG, laser) processes.
- Familiarity with PLM, ERP, or MES systems for tracking hardware and managing workflows.
- Understanding of AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- Experience with DFM/DFA, SPC, or Lean manufacturing methodologies.
- Exposure to aerospace hardware development or R&D environments requiring rapid iteration and cross-functional collaboration.

Physical Requirements

- Must be willing to be hands-on on the production floor daily.
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work around industrial equipment as needed.
- Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required to meet critical program milestones.

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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