Spike Inlet Mechanisms Build 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. The Spike Inlet Mechanism Build Engineer will be responsible for the build, integration, and test of supersonic spike inlet mechanisms and mechanical subsystems. This role bridges design, manufacturing, and test to ensure mechanism hardware is manufacturable, reliable, and performant. The engineer will work closely with design engineers, technicians, manufacturing teams, and test engineers to develop hardware, improve build processes, and support delivering rapid hardware iterations in a fast-paced development environment. Responsibilities

Support mechanism design reviews by providing feedback on manufacturability, integration constraints, and build efficiency

Develop and validate novel welded joints and welding process to enable mechanism development  

Create detailed build and test plans along with work instructions

Develop tooling fixtures and test setups required for mechanism assembly and test

Lead the build, test, and integration of complex aerospace mechanisms including the spike inlet mechanism, flow control door mechanisms, and associated hydraulic actuators, valves, linkages, and structural assemblies

Push hardware builds on the manufacturing floor, dispositioning questions and issue with the build real time.

Maintain configuration control of mechanism hardware, including documentation, BOMs, and build records.

Support ground and flight test campaigns.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including structures, propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing to ensure successful system integration.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience building, assembling, welding, integrating mechanical or aerospace hardware.

Demonstrated hands-on experience working with mechanical assemblies, tools, and fabrication processes.

Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, or similar.

Familiarity with GD&T and mechanical tolerance analysis.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

Experience with aerospace mechanisms or mechanical subsystems such as actuators, valves, deployable structures, or fluid system hardware.

Experience supporting hardware development programs in aerospace, automotive, or other high-performance engineering industries.

Knowledge of kinematics, structural mechanics, and fatigue considerations in mechanical systems.

Experience developing assembly procedures, integration plans, or manufacturing documentation.

Experience designing or implementing tooling, fixtures, or test equipment.

Familiarity with test instrumentation, data acquisition systems, or mechanism validation testing.

Experience working in prototype or early-stage hardware development environment.

Experience designing and/or fabricating welded structures

Familiarity with laser welding and heat treatment of welded structures

Experience with NX and Manufacturo.