Director, Software Engineering

Job Description Job Description 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 the Director of Software Engineering at Hermeus, you will be responsible for overseeing the software engineering function for our high-speed vehicles. Your primary focus will be on leading the design, development, and integration of software systems that enable safe and efficient operation of our high-speed aircraft. You will manage a talented team of software engineers and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including avionics, vehicle engineering, and systems integration, to ensure seamless software integration throughout the aircraft. Responsibilities: Lead, mentor, and manage the flight software engineering team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture. Drive the technical strategy and execution for the development, integration, and testing of flight software for advanced hypersonic vehicles. Oversee the architecture and design of flight control systems and ensure their alignment with mission requirements and safety standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware engineering, systems engineering, GNC, and flight test, to deliver integrated software solutions. Define software development processes and best practices, ensuring timely delivery of software that meets stringent quality and safety requirements. Spearhead the software verification and validation efforts, including simulation-based testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and flight tests. Establish and manage performance metrics for software quality, productivity, and innovation. Represent the flight software engineering team in meetings with executives, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure alignment with program objectives. Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, trends, and advancements in flight software development and aerospace engineering. Drive continuous improvement in team processes and capabilities, advocating for a culture of innovation and technical excellence. Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, or a related field. 8+ years of experience in embedded flight software development, with at least 4year in a leadership or senior technical role. Professional experience with real-time embedded systems, flight control software, or mission-critical software development. Professional experience in recruiting, developing, and scaling engineering teams, including coaching and mentoring engineers at all levels. Preferred Skills and Requirements: Experience working in a startup environment is a plus Master's or PhD degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Robotics). Experience working with aerospace safety standards and regulations (e.g., DO-178C, MIL-STD-498, etc.) Experience with avionics systems, flight simulation environments, and autonomous vehicle software development. Prior experience working in the hypersonic or commercial space sectors. Active participation in industry standards committees or working groups related to aerospace software. The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer. Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more! 100% employer-paid health care 401k & Retirement Plans Unlimited PTO Weekly Paid Office Lunches End of Year Bonuses Fully stocked breakrooms Stock Options Paid Parental Leave 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. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.