Develop and standardize testing procedures for aircraft, assist in hardware integration, manage work orders, and improve production processes.
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 Senior Operations and Test Engineer at Hermeus, you will help develop, test, and operate advanced aircraft systems through hands-on integration, checkout, development testing, and taxi test campaigns. This role blends engineering, operations, and automation, with a focus on building standardized processes and tools that make vehicle testing safer, faster, and more repeatable. You will work closely with technicians, specialists, and cross-functional engineering teams to support hardware integration, troubleshoot off-nominal results, improve test readiness, and turn lessons learned into better procedures, equipment, and workflows. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role for someone who is comfortable working around complex and hazardous systems, enjoys solving problems in real time, and can help drive reliable operations in a rapid hardware development environment.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and standardize procedures/automation for the checkouts, integration, development testing, and taxi testing of new and flight-proven vehicles, rapidly iterating based on lessons learned
- Design software and automation tools to enable autonomous vehicle operations, and to conduct vehicle system testing in ways that reduce complexity
- Assist with integration and testing of flight hardware, partnering with and providing direction to highly skilled field technicians and specialists daily
- Ensure test and flight readiness by reviewing test results and working with other teams to resolve off-nominal test results, collaborating with engineering staff from other departments and locations on a regular basis
- Identify opportunities to improve existing processes and equipment to eliminate small scale production waste
- Manage work orders and drive non-conformances into actionable items and systematic improvements
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience with mechanical, electrical and/or fluid systems
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Expert level first-principles engineering knowledge
- Experience working with a variety of software systems and writing/de-bugging code
- Experience writing test plans and test procedures
- Experience (preferably hands-on) working on projects that involve the integration of electrical, mechanical, and software systems
- Professional experience testing and operating with or around hazardous systems (high voltage, high pressure, combustible fluids, etc.)
- Professional experience working with large assembly moves (e.g. crane operations)
- Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
- Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
- Ability to learn, lead others, and help others learn while maintaining productivity
- Advanced degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and/or aerospace engineering
- Ability to work long hours and some weekend as needed, to support critical milestones
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs; standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying maybe require to perform the functions of this positions.
- Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns (up to 50%)
- Must be eligible to pass Air Force background checks
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.
- 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.
Hermeus Los Angeles, California, USA Office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Similar Jobs
Aerospace • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Manufacturing
Lead avionics system-level integration, validation, testing, and operations for Terran R. Design and execute component, subsystem, and vehicle-level test plans, develop CONOPs, automation, and test infrastructure, support integrated testbeds, on-console operations, and data review during stage tests and launches.
Top Skills:
Altium DesignerCanEthernetMatlabNxPythonSpiTeamcenterUartZuken
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Information Technology • Logistics
The Head of Growth Marketing will drive pipeline growth, execute demand generation campaigns, and establish brand positioning in home healthcare technology.
Top Skills:
Google AnalyticsHubspotLinkedin Ads
Aerospace • Defense
Build, install, and inspect wiring harnesses and electrical systems for flight hardware. Support avionics integration, continuity checks, cable routing, instrumentation for test campaigns, and electrical troubleshooting. Follow schematics and work instructions, maintain clean and safe shop areas, document work, and flag discrepancies to engineering.
Top Skills:
Cable RoutingContinuity TestingCrimpingEsd ProceduresInstrumentation SetupIpc/Whma-A-620J-StdMultimeterOscilloscopeSolderingWiring Harness Fabrication
What you need to know about the Los Angeles Tech Scene
Los Angeles is a global leader in entertainment, so it’s no surprise that many of the biggest players in streaming, digital media and game development call the city home. But the city boasts plenty of non-entertainment innovation as well, with tech companies spanning verticals like AI, fintech, e-commerce and biotech. With major universities like Caltech, UCLA, USC and the nearby UC Irvine, the city has a steady supply of top-flight tech and engineering talent — not counting the graduates flocking to Los Angeles from across the world to enjoy its beaches, culture and year-round temperate climate.
Key Facts About Los Angeles Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 375,800; 5.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Snap, Netflix, SpaceX, Disney, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, adtech, media, software, game development
- Funding Landscape: $11.6 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Strong Ventures, Fifth Wall, Upfront Ventures, Mucker Capital, Kittyhawk Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: California Institute of Technology, UCLA, University of Southern California, UC Irvine, Pepperdine, California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Quantum Science and Engineering


.png)
