Operational Test Pilot & Exercise Integration Lead

Hermeus · Los Angeles, CA

  • Senior
  • Full-time
  • $187,000 – $253,000
  • Posted 2026-10-26
  • Confirmed live on 1 November 2026

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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.

Responsibilities
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Serve as a pilot for Hermeus flight operations, including development and execution of normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures

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Lead mission planning and execution for company flight test and demonstration events: profile design, go/no-go criteria, crew and control room coordination, contingency and abort planning, and post-flight debrief

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Own range and airspace integration for flight activity — coordinate with range control, airspace managers, airfield operations, and test organizations to secure and protect flight windows, and deconflict Hermeus activity with other users

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Act as Hermeus' lead integrator and coordinator for joint and service exercise participation: build relationships with sponsoring units and exercise planning teams, shepherd Hermeus through the exercise planning cycle, and lead on-site execution

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Build and maintain the operational relationships that make flight happen — operational squadrons, test squadrons, range leadership, and government program offices

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Provide the operator's perspective to engineering and program teams: influence vehicle design, mission systems, concept of employment, test plans, and mission profiles so the vehicle matures toward missions the force actually needs

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Develop and maintain flight operations products — mission plans, flight cards, crew procedures, checklists, flight manuals, safety of flight documentation, and hazard analyses — and drive them through internal and external review

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Own program management for Flight Test as a Service engagements: scope definition with the customer, schedule and milestone tracking, cross-functional coordination, deliverable and data product management, and customer communication through closeout

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Lead and chair readiness reviews, test readiness reviews, and safety reviews with internal teams and external partners; ensure deliverables are on time and meet customer expectations

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Mentor and grow the operations and mission planning function as the team and flight rate scale

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Be relentless in challenging the status quo to compress planning cycles, accelerate approval timelines, and increase flight rate

Requirements
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Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field

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FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP with instrument rating

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Current FAA Class 2 medical certificate, and ability to maintain it for the duration of assigned flight duties

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Current or former military fighter / tactical aviator with 500+ total flight hours, including 300+ hours in fighter or high-performance aircraft

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Demonstrated experience as a mission commander, flight lead, instructor pilot, or evaluator pilot

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8+ years of combined operational aviation and program or project management experience, with demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-organization efforts

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Hands-on experience planning and executing missions on US military ranges, including range scheduling, airspace coordination, and safety of flight processes

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Experience participating in or planning joint or service-level exercises or large force test events

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Experience working with government customers — DoD program offices, test organizations, or operational units

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Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance

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Must be a U.S. person as defined under ITAR / EAR for access to export-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications:
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Graduate of USAF Test Pilot School, US Naval Test Pilot School, or an equivalent test pilot or flight test engineer program

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Graduate of USAF Weapons School, TOPGUN, or equivalent tactics or exercise planning pipeline

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Developmental or operational test experience on a new or modified air vehicle

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Experience operating uncrewed aircraft, including crewed/uncrewed teaming

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Experience coordinating with the FAA on airspace, certificates of authorization, or special use airspace

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Master's degree in an engineering or technical field

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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with direct experience negotiating technical deliverables or scope

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Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills

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Comfort briefing senior military and government stakeholders

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Passion for rapid aviation development and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, autonomously driven startup atmosphere

The salary range listed for this role is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope and responsibilitie

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