Lead, Ground Segment

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.

The Lead, Ground Segment is responsible for delivering mission-ready ground systems that enable operators to plan, command, and assess missions end-to-end. This role owns the ground control station, operator interfaces, mission planning and debrief tools, and supporting ground-side systems required to execute and evaluate missions without limiting test or flight tempo. 

As a first-level people leader, the Lead, Ground Segment provides technical leadership and execution ownership for engineers working on ground mission systems. This role remains hands-on while also ensuring delivery, integration, and operational readiness of the ground segment. 

• Own end-to-end technical outcomes for ground mission systems, from design through integration, test, and operational readiness 
• Lead the development and integration of ground systems, including the Ground Control Station (GCS), human–machine interfaces (HMI), mission planning, execution, debrief and analysis tools, operations room systems and displays, and ground-side voice communications and operator tooling
• Ensure ground systems provide clear, reliable, and intuitive operator workflows 
• Define and maintain interfaces between ground systems and airborne mission systems, autonomy, and communications 
• Drive integration, test, and validation of ground systems in support of ground and flight test campaigns 
• Identify usability, integration, and performance risks early and drive resolution 
• Provide day-to-day technical leadership, mentorship, and feedback to engineers within the Ground Segment scope 
• Coordinate closely with Air Segment and Mission Autonomy leads to resolve dependencies and integration issues 
• Communicate status, risks, and tradeoffs clearly to engineering leadership and program stakeholders 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, or a related technical field 
• 5+ years of experience developing mission-critical software systems 
• Experience designing and delivering operator-facing systems or complex user interfaces 
• Strong understanding of distributed systems and system integration 
• Experience integrating real-time data, telemetry, or communications into software systems 
• Proven ability to lead technical execution across multidisciplinary teams 
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced development and test environment 
• Strong communication skills and ability to make and defend technical decisions

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline 
• Experience supporting flight test or operational test environments 
• Familiarity with command and control (C2) systems or mission management workflows 
• Experience designing HMI for safety-critical or mission-critical systems 
• Background in aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems 
• Prior experience as a technical lead or first-level people leader 
• Experience working across geographically distributed teams 

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.