Avionics Systems Engineer - Flight Safety Systems (FTS / AFSS)
Hermeus
Software Engineering
Los Angeles, CA, USA
USD 91,800-224,250 / year
Posted on Mar 13, 2026
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.
As an Avionics Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for owning the design, integration, testing, and certification of the Flight Termination System (FTS) hardware and software for advanced flight vehicles. You will work closely with cross-functional teams across avionics, electrical, mechanical, and ground systems engineering to ensure seamless system integration and compliance with range safety requirements. In this role, you will coordinate with regulatory authorities, manage system interfaces, and support overall vehicle readiness through development, testing, and flight operations. You will also serve as the technical authority for all Flight Termination System-related activities, ensuring system reliability, documentation, and mission success.
Responsibilities
- Own the full life cycle of the Flight Termination System including design, build, test, integration, and flight
- Own the top level system design of the FTS inclusive of mechanical and electrical hardware and CONOPs
- Own the interfaces between the FTS and the vehicle inclusive of avionics, fluid, and structural interfaces
- Own the FTS interface to the Flight Test Range, inclusive of communications, requirements tailoring, documentation, and high level strategy
- Own the procurement of critical FTS components
- Own the qualification and acceptance testing campaign planning and execution
- Own high level integration planning
- Own operational procedure creation to ensure the successful operation of the system in the field
- Support Flight safety analysis that works hand in hand with the FTS to maintain safe flight operations
- Collaborate with range safety to create review and approve FTS documentation and develop FTS requirements on future vehicles
- Clear communication of system status to leadership and flight operations
Requirements
- 5+ Years of aerospace high criticality hardware experience
- A degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace engineering, Math, physics or related field
- Experience in hardware design (electrical and/or mechanical)
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Prior experience with range safety and RCC-319
- Experience with aircraft prototype development, including releasing hardware designs, writing and releasing work instructions, planning and executing test plans
- Knowledge of RF system design including link budgets, antenna design, and antenna placement
- Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams
- Experience with test planning and execution
- Knowledge of technical risk management
- Ability to communicate technical challenges and guidance to varied audiences to explain rationale and/or resolve concerns
- Ability to work on their own initiative and prioritize tasking to fit within the business goals
- Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities
- Meticulous attention to detail and a high level of motivation
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
- Experience architecting avionics systems with COTS and in-house hardware
- Experience with environmental testing such as vibration, thermal, and shock
- Experience with government agencies
- Experience with Autonomous Flight Safety Systems (AFSS)
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.
91800 - 224250 USD a year
Avionics Systems Engineer I $91,800-$112,200
Avionics Systems Engineer II $114,750-$140,250
Senior Avionics Systems Engineer $138,550-$187,450
Principal Avionics Systems Engineer $165,750-$224,250