Operational Analysis and Modeling Engineer

About the role

Head of Operational Modeling and Simulation

Hermeus seeks a strategic leader to establish the foundational discipline for operational analysis and simulation within our defense aviation enterprise. In this capacity, you will architect the analytical frameworks that dictate how our hypersonic vehicles are designed, tested, and deployed. Your leadership will ensure that our high-speed systems are not only technologically advanced but also operationally relevant and aligned with the tactical realities of modern defense. This role demands a deep understanding of government acquisition cycles and the technical acumen to guide complex hardware programs from concept to completion.

Position Overview and Impact

The Head of Operational Modeling and Simulation will own the entire lifecycle of operational analysis, transforming abstract mission requirements into concrete simulation frameworks. You will serve as the critical bridge between engineering teams, government stakeholders, and operational warfighters. Your work will directly influence the design parameters of Hermeus's hypersonic aircraft, ensuring they solve the most urgent challenges faced by our Department of War partners. This position requires a background steeped in government, defense industry, or FFRDC/UARC environments, ensuring that our simulations meet the rigorous standards of national defense. The role is designated at the manager or director level, with responsibilities scaling to match the candidate's proven expertise.

Core Responsibilities

You will establish and manage the intake process, converting high-level mission questions into defined simulation parameters and data requirements. This involves designing robust build workflows that effectively link aerodynamic models with real-world logistics and constraints specific to hypersonic vehicle employment. You will lead critical review sessions, translating complex test results and technical data into adjusted operational assumptions for defense partners and acquisition teams. A key duty is to ship comprehensive analysis packages that are meticulously integrated with hardware development schedules and government reporting timelines.

Maintaining the integrity of simulation outputs is paramount. You will forge and enforce partner protocols to ensure that all simulation results directly align with warfighter concepts of operations and formal acquisition pathways. This includes the ongoing maintenance of sophisticated toolchains that support operational modeling across diverse government environments and FFRDC facilities. You will validate all model assumptions by leveraging historical flight data and experimental measurements, continuously refining model fidelity to ensure accuracy. Ultimately, you will guide pivotal decision points where deep modeling insights directly influence aircraft configuration, mission planning, and overall system architecture.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must bring a minimum of three years of direct operational analysis experience or five years of closely related work in a high-stakes technical environment. Demonstrable mastery of software essential for defense-level simulation and modeling is non-negotiable. A prior engagement with U.S. government defense programs or FFRDC/UARC environments is a mandatory prerequisite for success in this role. also, a profound understanding of the pace, constraints, and strategic urgency of modern battlefield requirements for high-speed systems is essential.

Compensation and Location

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and is offered as a full-time engagement. The compensation package is highly competitive, with a target range of $185,000 to $230,000 USD annually. The final level of this position-Manager or Director-and the associated compensation, will be determined based on the depth and breadth of the candidate's qualifications and proven track record.

About Hermeus

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company with a singular mission: to reclaim the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping. We are dedicated to building the fastest aircraft in the world today, delivering high-speed systems at the pace demanded by the modern battlefield. Our work is a direct partnership with the Department of War, providing the critical high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies require to maintain a durable and asymmetric advantage. This role is a cornerstone of that mission, placing you at the heart of our technical and strategic innovation.