Engineering Manager - Structures

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.

The Manager of Structures Engineering will lead a team of talented engineers in the design, analysis, and optimization of structural components for our hypersonic aircraft. You will be responsible for guiding the team through all stages of development, and ensuring that our designs meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and compliance. This role demands a deep understanding of structural engineering principles, advanced materials, and the unique challenges associated with hypersonic flight.

What You Will Do as a Structures Engineering Manager (Responsibilities):

• Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead and inspire the Structures Engineering team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Oversee recruitment, training, and development of team members, ensuring the team is equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet project demands.

• Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and provide mentorship to team members.

• Project Oversight and Management:

• Manage multiple projects from concept through to production, ensuring on-time delivery within aggressive schedule goals

• Develop project plans, allocate resources, and track progress against milestones.

• Coordinate with other departments such as aerodynamics, propulsion, and systems engineering to ensure integrated project execution.

• Structural Design and Analysis:

• Supervise the design and analysis of aircraft structural components, ensuring compliance with performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee the use of advanced CAD and FEA tools for structural analysis and design.

• Lead efforts in material selection and testing for high-temperature and high-stress environments.

• Innovation and Technology Development:

• Promote continuous improvement and innovation in structural design processes and materials.

• Identify and implement new technologies and methodologies to enhance the performance and efficiency of hypersonic aircraft structures.

• Risk Management and Problem Solving:

• Identify potential risks in the structural design process and develop mitigation strategies.

• Address and resolve technical issues, ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of designs under extreme conditions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate structural components with other systems.

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including engineers, project managers, and executives, to align project objectives and deliverables.

• Budget and Resource Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for structural engineering projects, ensuring efficient allocation and use of resources.

About You (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in structural engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Extensive experience in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g. CATIA, SolidWorks) and FEA tools (e.g. ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Experience with structural testing, validation, and certification processes.
• Proven track record in leading and managing engineering teams, with strong mentorship and coaching skills.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and resource management.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• High level of initiative and utilizes a proactive approach to address challenges and opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
• Extensive experience in the aerospace or defense industry, with a focus rockets or aircraft (preferred).