Lead Propulsion Component Engineer, Aerospace Hardware
Overview
You will own flight-critical propulsion components—valves, actuators, and high-performance mechanical systems—from clean-sheet design through flight qualification at Hermeus, a venture-backed defense aviation company building the fastest aircraft in the world. You will lead a small team of 2–5 engineers while directly designing and delivering hardware that operates in extreme thermal and pressure environments. Your work moves at the pace of rapid iterative prototyping, supporting ground and flight test campaigns. This role differs from typical aerospace positions: you get hands-on ownership and direct impact on hardware that flies.
What You'll Do10
- 1Own propulsion components (high-pressure valves, actuation systems, fluid control hardware) from concept through flight qualification, using CAD tools like NX and analysis with ANSYS.
- 2Design for extreme environments including high temperature, pressure, and dynamic loading, applying fundamentals of fluids, thermodynamics, and mechanics.
- 3Drive trade studies across performance, manufacturability, reliability, and testability to select optimal design paths.
- 4Execute clean-sheet design, analysis, and integration of propulsion hardware, delivering prototypes in rapid build–test–iterate cycles.
- 5Support and troubleshoot hardware during ground and flight test campaigns, resolving real-world failures swiftly.
- 6Lead and mentor a team of 2–5 engineers, setting technical direction and execution priorities while reviewing designs and guiding decisions.
- 7Act as the Responsible Engineer for critical flight hardware, ensuring high technical standards and certification readiness.
- 8Integrate components into engine and vehicle systems by working closely with propulsion, structures, and vehicle teams.
- 9Define system requirements, interfaces, and operational limits to ensure seamless component integration.
- 10Drive transition from prototype to production-ready hardware, developing assembly, test, and acceptance strategies for reliable delivery.
Requirements10
- 1Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 27+ years of experience developing mechanical or propulsion hardware, with demonstrated ownership from concept through test or production.
- 3Strong fundamentals in fluids, thermodynamics, mechanics, and materials.
- 4Hands-on experience with design, build, and integration of mechanical systems, including high-pressure fluid systems or aerospace mechanisms.
- 5Experience designing components such as valves, actuators, or turbomachinery-adjacent hardware, with familiarity in high-temperature materials and sealing strategies.
- 6Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and precision assemblies.
- 7Proficiency with CAD tools (NX preferred) and analysis tools (ANSYS or similar).
- 8Experience supporting hardware through test campaigns and resolving real-world failures.
- 9Willingness to work hands-on in build, integration, and test environments, support extended hours during critical test operations, and travel to test sites.
- 10Eligibility to access export-controlled information.
Salary Insight
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