Hermeus is an aerospace and defense technology company founded to radically accelerate air travel by delivering hypersonic aircraft. The company aims to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively by integrating hardware-rich, iterative development with modern computing and autonomy. This approach has been validated through design, build, and test of the company’s first combined turbojet-ramjet engine and is now being scaled through its first flight vehicle program, Quarterhorse. Hermeus is also developing Darkhorse — an uncrewed hypersonic aircraft designed to deliver unique asymmetric capabilities to the warfighter.
Hermeus is seeking a Loads and Dynamics Engineer to support the development of our hypersonic aircraft programs (Quarterhorse and Darkhorse). This individual will work closely with the aerodynamics and structures teams to develop and refine external loads, create dynamic simulations, validate analysis through testing and flight, and evaluate flutter behaviors to support aircraft development. This person will go beyond delivering analyses and fulfill an integral role in the design and layout of the vehicle’s airframe and components.
- Perform aerodynamic loads and dynamic analysis for hypersonic flight conditions, considering factors such as airframe response, aerodynamic forces, and structural integrity.
- Analyze and predict the dynamic behavior of the aircraft, including vibration, acoustic environments, and response to external forces during flight, including both steady-state and transient events.
- Develop and define flight loads, including thermal and pressure distributions, using both analytical methods and experimental data. Collaborate with design and test teams to validate loads through testing and simulation.
- Utilize finite element analysis tools to simulate the aircraft’s structural and dynamic response under a range of hypersonic conditions, ensuring the design meets safety margins and performance requirements.
- Support the planning, execution, and post-test analysis of flight tests, ensuring that data is properly interpreted and used for refining aircraft models and improving designs.
- Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimize the design and performance of key components (e.g., airframe, propulsion system) while ensuring structural integrity and dynamic stability.
- Communicate findings and collaborate with cross-functional teams including aerodynamics, propulsion, materials, and systems engineering. Maintain clear documentation for analyses, test plans, and results.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of experience in loads and dynamics analysis, ideally in aerospace or a similar high-performance engineering field.
- Professional experience with industry-standard simulation tools, such as NASTRAN, MSC Patran, ABAQUS, or similar finite element analysis software. Experience with CFD and multi-disciplinary optimization tools is a plus.
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with supersonic or hypersonic flight regimes, including high-temperature materials, shock-wave dynamics, and thermal loads.
- Solid understanding of flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and structural analysis principles, with the ability to apply these concepts to complex problems.
- Strong proficiency in structural dynamics, vibration analysis, and loads analysis for high-speed aerospace vehicles, preferably hypersonic or supersonic vehicles.
- Previous experience working on cutting-edge aerospace projects, particularly related to hypersonic or high-speed vehicles.
- Familiarity with advanced tools for dynamic simulations and multi-physics analysis, including aerostructural coupling techniques and integration with other disciplines (e.g., propulsion, thermal).
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team environment, with a proactive and hands-on approach to problem-solving.
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.
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.