Chief Engineer - Airbreathing Propulsion Test

Hermeus•Jacksonville, FL

12d•$138,550 - $247,250•Onsite

About The Position

Hermeus is seeking a hands-on, technically rigorous Chief Engineer to lead expansion of its High Enthalpy Airbreathing Test (HEAT) facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The role owns technical execution from requirements definition and system architecture through design, construction, integration, commissioning, and operational readiness. It translates propulsion test objectives into safe, reliable, high-performance test capabilities and serves as the technical authority for the expansion, balancing capability, safety, schedule, cost, and future scalability. The Chief Engineer works across propulsion engineering, test operations, facilities, contractors, equipment suppliers, integrators, and government stakeholders. This is an engineering leadership role focused on propulsion test systems and delivery of an operational facility, rather than facilities project management alone. The expansion is intended to accelerate development of advanced airbreathing propulsion systems and support current engine testing as well as future advanced airbreathing and hypersonic propulsion capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
10+ years of relevant engineering experience in propulsion test facilities, engine test systems, or complex aerospace test infrastructure.
Demonstrated experience leading the build, integration, commissioning, or major upgrade of a propulsion test facility, test cell, test stand, or comparable test system.
Strong technical understanding of systems that enable safe, reliable propulsion testing, including instrumentation, controls, data acquisition, and supporting mechanical or fluid systems.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and external contractors through complex technical execution.
Proven ability to own technical decisions, resolve integration challenges, and deliver operational capabilities against schedule and budget.
Ability to work on-site in Jacksonville, Florida.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with turbojet, turbofan, ramjet, scramjet, or turbine-based combined-cycle propulsion systems.
Experience with high-enthalpy airflow, high-speed propulsion simulation, or hypersonic ground-test environments.
Experience with test readiness reviews, commissioning plans, safety interlocks, operating procedures, and test operations.
Experience scaling an existing test capability or retrofitting legacy infrastructure to support new propulsion requirements.

Responsibilities

Lead facility development end to end, including requirements definition, system architecture, design decisions, installation, integration, and commissioning.
Translate test objectives into required facility capabilities and integrate mechanical, fluid, airflow, fuel, exhaust, instrumentation, controls, data acquisition, and safety systems.
Direct cross-functional engineers, equipment suppliers, construction contractors, and integrators to deliver an operational test environment.
Establish commissioning plans, resolve integration issues, support shakedown testing, and prepare the facility for safe, repeatable test operations.
Make technical decisions on design, scope, risk, schedule, and cost; identify problems early and drive them to resolution.
Partner with propulsion and test teams to support current engine testing and future advanced airbreathing and hypersonic propulsion capabilities.
Work with contractors, government customers, and internal leadership on technical reviews, acquisition decisions, risk mitigation, and delivery milestones.