Chief Engineer - Airbreathing Propulsion Test

Hermeus•Jacksonville, FL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Hermeus is seeking a hands-on, technically rigorous Chief Engineer to lead the expansion of its High Enthalpy Airbreathing Test (HEAT) facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The role owns technical execution of the facility expansion from requirements definition and architecture through design, construction, system integration, commissioning, and operational readiness. The Chief Engineer will serve as the technical authority, making decisions across interconnected systems while balancing test capability, safety, schedule, cost, and future scalability. The role works across propulsion engineering, test operations, facilities, contractors, and government stakeholders to translate propulsion test objectives into safe, reliable, high-performance test capabilities. It is an engineering leadership role focused on propulsion test systems and end-to-end delivery, rather than simply facilities project management. The work will build infrastructure that accelerates development of advanced airbreathing propulsion systems.

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.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.

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 facility capabilities by defining and integrating mechanical, fluid, airflow, fuel, exhaust, instrumentation, controls, data acquisition, and safety systems.
Direct cross-functional engineers, equipment suppliers, construction contractors, and integrators to deliver a cohesive, operational test environment.
Establish commissioning plans, resolve integration issues, support shakedown testing, and ensure readiness for safe, repeatable test operations.
Make independent technical decisions regarding 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 needs and future advanced airbreathing and hypersonic propulsion test capabilities.
Work with contractors, government customers, and internal leadership on technical reviews, acquisition decisions, risk mitigation, and delivery milestones.