Autonomy Software Engineer

Hermeus · Los Angeles, California · Posted 2026-08-28

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.

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

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 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.

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About Hermeus

Hermeus is developing Mach 5 aircraft to speed up the global transportation network.