--- title: 'Structures/Mechanical Engineering Intern - Spring/Summer 2027 at Hermeus' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/structures-mechanical-engineering-intern-spring-summer-2027-hermeus-atlanta-mzb0g01ktz7r' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-07' --- # Structures/Mechanical Engineering Intern - Spring/Summer 2027 at Hermeus - **Company:** Hermeus - **Location:** Atlanta, GA - **Compensation:** $25–$33/hr - **Employment:** internship - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-02 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/hermeus/60b5d40a-1065-4bd2-8c72-6b2fb69d4761 ## 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: Hermeus is seeking a hands-on Structures/Mechanical Engineering Intern to support the design, build, and test of flight hardware for next-generation aircraft systems. In this role, you will help design and develop mechanical subassemblies across the vehicle, including control surfaces, landing gear doors, avionics trays, and other flight critical hardware. This internship is ideal for students who enjoy owning real hardware, working in a fast-paced development environment, and taking designs from concept through fabrication, integration, and test. Fall: Around 16 weeks (August - December) ## Responsibilities - Support the design and development of flight hardware and mechanical subassemblies for aircraft systems. - Assist with CAD modeling, drawing creation, hardware release, and design updates. - Perform basic hand calculations and engineering analysis to support design decisions. - Help build, integrate, troubleshoot, and test prototype and flight hardware. - Collaborate with structures, mechanical, manufacturing, avionics, and test teams to support vehicle development. - Contribute to design reviews, test planning, and documentation of lessons learned. - Support rapid iteration by identifying design improvements, simplifying hardware, and incorporating feedback from build and test activities. Requirements: - Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field. (undergraduate student in your third or fourth year of study, or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program). - Strong engineering fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and mechanical design. - Hands-on experience with hardware through internships, research, labs, personal projects, or student teams such as FSAE, rocketry, robotics, or similar. - Familiarity with CAD tools - Comfortable working with physical hardware, hand tools, test equipment, and fast-paced build environments. - Interest in aircraft structures, mechanical systems, flight hardware, and rapid hardware development. - Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and test teams. - Strong understanding of engineering first principles. - Enthusiasm for aviation and Hermeus's mission. - GPA of 3.0 or above. Preferred Skills and Experience: - Designed and released flight hardware. - Familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter and NX. - You’ve built something that’s flown, broken, or both. The hourly rate listed for this internship is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on degree level. Benefits: Time Off: Interns are eligible for 5 days of sick leave and unpaid time off. 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. 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