Structures Design Engineer

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 Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, and delivery of primary and secondary aircraft structures for hypersonic vehicles. You will own hardware from early trade studies through detailed design, manufacturing, integration, and flight test, working closely with propulsion, aerothermal, manufacturing, and test teams. This role requires strong fundamentals in structural design, comfort operating in ambiguous problem spaces, and the ability to move quickly while maintaining engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop primary and secondary aircraft structures, including fuselage, wings, control surfaces, and supporting structure
• Perform structural trade studies considering weight, strength, stiffness, thermal environment, manufacturability, and cost
• Generate detailed CAD models, drawings, and GD&T for flight and test hardware
• Collaborate with analysis engineers on stress, fatigue, fracture, and thermal-structural assessments
• Work closely with manufacturing to support fabrication, assembly, and tooling development
• Support vehicle integration, ground testing, and flight test activities, including troubleshooting hardware issues
• Participate in design reviews and contribute to system-level architectural decisions
• Drive rapid iteration cycles and incorporate test and flight feedback into design improvements

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in structural design of aerospace vehicles or high-performance mechanical systems
• Proficiency with CAD tools (NX, CATIA, or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of structural fundamentals.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with high-temperature materials, metallic and welded structures
• Familiarity with hypersonic, high-speed, or high-thermal-load environments
• Experience supporting structural testing and/or flight hardware
• Knowledge of aerospace standards, qualification, and verification processes
• Hands-on experience with hardware assembly or test

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.

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Engineer I $91,800 - $112,200

Engineer II $114,750 - $140,250

Engineer III $138,550 - $187,450