Hermeus

Autonomy Software Engineer

Hermeus$110K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Strong proficiency in modern C++ and production-quality software development
  • Experience with autonomous vehicles, robotics, or unmanned aircraft
  • Knowledge of guidance and control algorithms and trajectory generation
  • Familiarity with navigation systems and sensors
  • Ability to manage complex technical problems independently
  • Experience integrating software into larger vehicle architectures

Responsibilities

  • Develop flight autonomy software in modern C++
  • Design mission autonomy behaviors and decision-making capabilities
  • Integrate guidance and control loops for unmanned aircraft
  • Validate and support navigation sensors and solutions
  • Collaborate on the integration of autonomy in existing systems
  • Develop automated testing and simulation scenarios for performance verification
  • Work with GNC and simulation teams to validate autonomy algorithms

Benefits

  • 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance
  • Stock options and a competitive 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid parental leave and unlimited PTO for exempt employees
  • Weekly paid lunches and fully stocked breakrooms
  • 12 federal holidays and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees
Full Job Description


About the Role

We are seeking an Autonomy Software Engineer to develop flight autonomy capabilities for Hermeus' supersonic vehicle fleet. You will build software spanning guidance and control, mission autonomy, and navigation while working closely with RPA pilots, GNC engineers, software platform engineers, simulation engineers, and command-and-control teams.

This is a hands-on role for an engineer who is comfortable owning difficult, cross-functional problems from initial design through integration and flight testing. You will directly influence how Hermeus aircraft navigate, execute missions, interact with operators, and progressively achieve higher levels of autonomy.

The ideal candidate combines strong modern C++ software-development skills with experience in autonomous or unmanned systems and a practical understanding of guidance, controls, and navigation.

Responsibilities

  • Develop modern C++ software for flight autonomy, guidance, navigation, and control


  • Design and implement mission-autonomy behaviors and vehicle decision-making capabilities


  • Develop and integrate guidance and control loops for unmanned aircraft


  • Support the integration, evaluation, and validation of navigation sensors and navigation solutions


  • Integrate autonomy capabilities into existing aircraft software architectures and command-and-control systems


  • Develop automated test suites, simulation scenarios, and utilities to verify autonomy performance and expected behavior


  • Work closely with GNC and simulation engineers to develop, test, and validate autonomy algorithms


  • Partner with RPA pilots and flight-operations teams to define and execute the autonomy roadmap


  • Integrate autonomy software with vehicle systems, communications links, ground systems, and operator interfaces


  • Diagnose and resolve complex problems spanning autonomy software, vehicle dynamics, navigation, simulation, and command-and-control interfaces


  • Participate in software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, ground-test, and flight-test activities


  • Own technical problems from initial investigation through implementation, integration, testing, and operational use


  • Drive solutions across multidisciplinary teams in environments where requirements and vehicle capabilities are rapidly evolving


Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field


  • Strong proficiency with modern C++, including experience developing production-quality software


  • Strong general software-engineering fundamentals, including software architecture, debugging, testing, and performance-conscious development


  • Experience developing software for unmanned aircraft, autonomous vehicles, robotics, spacecraft, or other autonomous systems


  • Experience with guidance and control algorithms, control loops, trajectory generation, or vehicle guidance software


  • Experience developing or integrating flight or mission-autonomy capabilities


  • Experience developing or integrating navigation systems, sensors, or state-estimation solutions


  • Ability to work effectively across software, GNC, simulation, systems, operations, and other engineering disciplines


  • Demonstrated ability to independently identify technical problems and drive them through resolution


  • Experience integrating complex software capabilities into larger vehicle or robotic-system architectures


Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Experience developing autonomy software for unmanned aerial systems or remotely piloted aircraft


  • Experience with flight guidance, path planning, trajectory generation, control allocation, or vehicle control


  • Experience with GNSS, INS, IMUs, air-data systems, sensor fusion, or other navigation technologies


  • Experience integrating autonomy software with command-and-control systems


  • Familiarity with over-the-air communications, vehicle-to-ground protocols, telemetry, and command interfaces


  • Experience with mission planning, contingency management, health monitoring, or autonomous decision-making


  • Experience with Linux-based embedded or real-time software systems


  • Experience with simulation, SIL, HIL, system-integration labs, ground testing, or flight testing


  • Experience collaborating directly with pilots, operators, or flight-test teams


  • Aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous vehicle, or spacecraft experience


  • Experience working in a startup, rapid-prototyping, or highly iterative development environment


$110,000 - $160,000 a year

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 responsibilities, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, market data, and business needs.

At Hermeus, compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive pay, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support our team.

Benefits:

  • Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance
  • Financial: Competitive pay, stock options, 401(k) retirement plan, and potential year-end bonuses
  • Time Off: Paid parental leave, 12 federal holidays, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees
  • Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms


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 by22 C.F.R. a7 120.62or 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.

About Hermeus

Hermeus is an aerospace company that is developing a hypersonic aircraft capable of traveling at Mach 5 or higher. The company was founded in 2018 by former SpaceX engineers and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Hermeus aims to revolutionize the aviation industry by providing faster and more efficient air travel. The company has received funding from venture capital firms and the United States Air Force. Hermeus is currently in the process of developing its first prototype aircraft.
Learn more about Hermeus
Size
10 employees
Industry
Founded
2018

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