---
title: 'Structures Manufacturing Engineer at Hermeus'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/structures-manufacturing-engineer-hermeus-los-angeles-at28sxvgqa9j'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Structures Manufacturing Engineer at Hermeus

- **Company:** Hermeus
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $95k–$140k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-01-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus/71f71b6f-bc10-48da-b289-ac74808a9a41

## 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 Structures Manufacturing Engineer – Tooling & R&D at Hermeus, you will enable the rapid development, integration, and test of flight-critical structural assemblies through innovative tooling and hands-on manufacturing execution. This role is deeply embedded in early-stage design-build-test cycles, where speed, creativity, and engineering judgment matter as much as formal process.

You will design and build tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment while partnering closely with structures, test, and manufacturing teams to turn evolving designs into real, testable hardware. This is a highly hands-on role for engineers who like being on the floor, solving problems in real time, and iterating quickly to move flight hardware forward.

Responsibilities:

- Own the design, fabrication, and validation of tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment supporting structural prototype builds, integration, and testing.
- Rapidly iterate tooling concepts to support changing designs, test objectives, and build sequences.
- Partner with structures, manufacturing, and test engineers to define integration flow, tooling interfaces, and build strategies.
- Perform mechanical checks, fit-ups, and hands-on trials to qualify tooling for development and flight hardware builds.
- Maintain configuration control, documentation, and safety standards across evolving tooling systems.
- Support the build, integration, and inspection of primary and secondary structural assemblies for the Quarterhorse vehicle and future platforms.
- Act as the primary interface between design engineers and technicians during prototype and flight hardware builds.
- Identify integration challenges early and develop creative tooling or process solutions to maintain build velocity.
- Provide direct, real-time design feedback based on hands-on build experience.
- Support structural testing campaigns by enabling efficient, repeatable, and safe hardware setups.
- Develop and refine prototype manufacturing processes with a focus on speed, flexibility, and learning.
- Drive continuous improvement of tooling and build approaches to reduce iteration time and increase build quality.
- Resolve non-conformances through hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis in collaboration with Quality.
- Coordinate internal and external fabrication resources to meet aggressive R&D and test milestones.

Requirements:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline.
- Strong engineering fundamentals and comfort applying first principles in ambiguous environments.
- Hands-on experience with physical hardware.
- Proven ability to design, build, test, break, and iterate rapidly.
- Proficiency with CAD and familiarity with GD&T fundamentals.
- Comfort using hand tools, test equipment, and working directly on the shop floor.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, forming, and assembly.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary R&D teams.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including overtime and weekends as needed.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

- Experience in an R&D or startup development environment.
- Direct experience designing or building tooling for large structural assemblies.
- Experience supporting a flight development or experimental aircraft program.
- Familiarity with lean prototyping and rapid iteration in low-volume environments.

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.

## 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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