Operational Test Pilot & Exercise Integration Lead

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

Serve as a pilot for Hermeus flight operations, including development and execution of normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures 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 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 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 Build and maintain the operational relationships that make flight happen — operational squadrons, test squadrons, range leadership, and government program offices 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 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 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 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 Mentor and grow the operations and mission planning function as the team and flight rate scale Be relentless in challenging the status quo to compress planning cycles, accelerate approval timelines, and increase flight rate