Lead Component Engineer
Hermeus
Los Angeles, CA, USA
USD 140k-180k / year + Equity
Posted on Sep 3, 2025
Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.
The Lead Component Engineer role is responsible for the support and leadership of a team of 2-5 individual contributors RE's focused on designing, building, qualifying, acceptance testing, and delivering flight valves, actuators, mechanisms, and other mechanical systems. In addition to leadership and support responsibilities the role is responsible for technical individual contributor work which includes system requirements scoping, clean sheet design, development, and production start of flight mechanical systems integrated into engine and vehicle systems.
This highly interdisciplinary role requires strong 1st principles in mechanics, fluids, thermal, manufacturing; strong ability to communicate requirements in a rapidly changing environment; and the drive to rapidly and safely create novel and cutting-edge hardware to accelerate the future of hypersonic travel.
Responsibilities
- Management support of a team of 2-5
- Creation, development, planning, and execution of team level strategy
- Delivery of performant, cost effective, schedule conscious mechanical systems
- Fully own critical flight hardware
- Work with system owners to architect and place components within systems
- System level architecture and sizing
- System design, analysis, development testing, qualification, production introduction
- Scope vehicle level operational methods and limits to ensure reliability and personnel safety through all phases of production and operation
- Making risk conscious decisions aligned with program posture
- Prioritize broad work scope to meet top company objectives
Basic Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline (mechanical, aerospace, physics, materials, etc.)
- Experience using CAD to design parts and assemblies
- 5+ years of Engineering, competition team, applied research experience related to fluid, mechanisms, or engine systems
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in engineering discipline (mechanical, aerospace, physics, materials, etc.)
- 4+ years of experience developing hardware from concept to production
- Proficiency in compressible and incompressible flow, thermodynamics, kinematics, mechanism design, mechanics of materials, and materials
- Strong knowledge of GD&T and stack-up analysis
- Script programming experience (Python, Matlab, Excel, VBA, etc.)
- Ability to execute in a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner with tight timelines.
- Professional experience using Siemens NX/Teamcenter and ANSYS
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to travel to support hardware and flight tests
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Great attitude in the face of extreme challenges
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.
140000 - 180000 USD a year
The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer.
Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more!
100% employer-paid health care
401k & Retirement Plans
Unlimited PTO
Weekly Paid Office Lunches
End of Year Bonuses
Fully stocked breakrooms
Stock Options
Paid Parental Leave