Lead Test Pilot
Hermeus
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Posted on Jun 24, 2025
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.
Responsibilities:
- Plan and execute taxi and flight operations for the Quarterhorse series of demonstrator aircraft
- Oversee the transition of Quarterhorse from a remotely piloted to fully autonomous system to meet program objectives
- Maintain subject matter expertise of theQuarterhorsedemonstrator aircraft series
- Plan and develop ground and flight test procedures, run cards, and reports
- Work with Hermeus engineering staff and technical editors to deliver flight manuals and other relevant technical documentation
- Direct a cadre of part-time test pilots supporting the scope listed above
Minimum Requirements:
- Federal Aviation Administration transport pilot rating or military equivalent
- Military or civilian flight test experience, or test pilot school graduate
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Instructor pilot experience
- Knowledge of military or FAA Airworthiness requirements
- Strong background in aircraft performance calculations; familiarity with aircraft stability and control systems
- Experience writing test plans and test procedures
- Flight experience in group 4/5 UAV (Global Hawk, Triton, and/or Reaper preferred)
- 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
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns. 5-10% baseline and up to 50% during flight test campaigns.
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.