Performance Engineer

Hermeus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 91,800 - 187,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO policy

Generous parental leave

Potential for year-end bonuses

100% employer-paid health care

401(k) & Retirement Plans

Weekly Paid Office Lunches

Stock Options

Job summary

A high-speed aircraft manufacturer in Los Angeles seeks a Performance Engineer. This role involves analyzing and optimizing aircraft and propulsion system performance with a focus on thermodynamics and aerodynamics. Successful candidates will hold a degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering and have expertise in gas turbine engine cycles and modeling. Competitive salary between $91,800 and $187,450 annually and an array of benefits, including unlimited PTO and 100% employer-paid health care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, compressible flow, gas turbine engine cycles, and aerodynamics.
• Experience with propulsion performance modeling and aircraft performance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and optimize aircraft and propulsion system performance.
• Perform thermodynamic cycle analysis of turbofan engines.
• Develop and maintain propulsion system performance models.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Aerodynamics

Gas turbine engine cycles

MATLAB

Python

Compressible flow

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.

In your role as a Performance Engineer, you will be responsible for analyzing, modeling, and optimizing aircraft and propulsion system performance across the full flight envelope. This position requires strong expertise in gas turbine engine cycles, aerodynamics, and thermodynamics to support aircraft development, certification, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Perform thermodynamic cycle analysis of turbofan engines, evaluating thrust, TSFC, efficiency, operability margins, and performance across the flight envelope.
• Develop, validate, and maintain propulsion system performance models to support aircraft integration, certification, and customer deliverables.
• Generate aircraft and engine performance data for flight manuals, flight computers, and executive-level program assessments.
• Conduct runway and mission performance analyses.
• Support engine‑airframe integration efforts, including takeoff thrust optimization and safety-focused performance methodologies.
• Author and execute flight test plans to evaluate propulsion robustness, operability, and early design maturity.
• Contribute to advanced combustion and fluid dynamics modeling efforts.
• Support experimental testing efforts including aeroacoustics, flow visualization (Schlieren), wind tunnel testing, and telemetry data analysis.
• Play a key role within ourHEAT (High-Enthalpy Airflow Test) facility, including sizing, analyzing, and optimizing this world‑class test infrastructure.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, compressible flow, gas turbine engine cycles, and aerodynamics.
• Experience with propulsion performance modeling and aircraft performance analysis.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and validate complex engineering data sets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with focus on propulsion, aerothermodynamics, or combustion.
• Experience supporting turbofan engine development programs.
• Background in CFD, Large Eddy Simulation (LES), or reduced‑order modeling techniques.
• Exposure to experimental aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, or high‑speed flow diagnostics.

Additional Requirements

• Strong systems‑level thinking with attention to both detailed analysis and program‑level impacts.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical initiatives or cross‑functional collaboration.

$91,800 - $187,450 a year

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity.
• Unlimited PTO policy.
• Generous parental leave.
• Potential for year‑end bonuses.
• 100% employer‑paid health care.
• 401(k) & Retirement Plans.
• 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.