Software Engineer - Mission Systems (Senior or Principal)

Hermeus

Atlanta, GA on site Until 8/22/2026 5+ years exp First posted December 19, 2025 Last posted December 19, 2025

Job description

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:

The Mission Systems Engineering (MSE) Team develops the Mission Management System (MMS)—a software platform that integrates mission subsystems, autonomy services, operator interfaces, communications links, and telemetry for Hermeus aircraft. The MMS enables rapid incorporation of new capabilities from internal teams and third-party providers. As a Software Engineer on this team, you will design, implement, and test C++ software that extends this platform and interfaces with mission subsystems, autonomy solutions, and external services.

Responsibilities:

Design, implement, and maintain C++ software components that extend and evolve the Mission Management System platform
Integrate third-party mission subsystems, autonomy solutions, and communications services by defining new interfaces, data models, and messaging pathways
Work with systems, avionics, and network engineers to establish interfaces, data schemas, and protocols across mission systems
Develop software requirements, architecture artifacts, and integration documentation as the system and platform mature
Implement mission workflows, operator interaction logic, and data transformation services supporting command, control, and telemetry
Participate in code reviews, integration builds, simulations, and system-level validation activities
Identify, diagnose, and resolve software and integration issues in distributed, hardware-connected environments
Contribute to simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments for capability validation

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
5+ years of professional C++ development experience delivering production-quality software
Proficiency with modern C++ (C++14/17/20), including concurrency, memory management, and performance-oriented programming
Experience with network programming concepts such as TCP, UDP, and multicast at the socket interface level
Experience integrating software with hardware systems or external services in environments with evolving requirements
Ability to define interfaces, protocols, and system boundaries where none exist
Strong communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills and Experience:

10+ years of C++ development experience building complex, distributed, or real-time systems
Experience developing mission systems, operator-facing software, mission planning tools, or telemetry visualization systems
Experience with RF, SATCOM, LOS radios, or tactical datalink systems
Familiarity with publish/subscribe or messaging middleware (e.g., DDS, ZeroMQ, ActiveMQ, Kafka)
Understanding of avionics architectures, autonomy frameworks, or integration of third-party mission subsystems
Experience in regulated or safety-critical environments (e.g., DO-178C, ARINC standards, MIL-STD interfaces)
Strong debugging and test experience, including simulation or hardware-in-the-loop environments
Experience working in a startup or rapid 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.

Compensation (from employer):
128250–156750 USD per year

About this role

Summary

Develop, integrate, and test C++ software for mission management systems in defense aircraft.

Job title

Software Engineer - Mission Systems (Senior or Principal)

Experience level

5+ years

Minimum experience

5+ years exp

Industry

defense aviation

Location requirements

Atlanta, GA, on-site preferred; remote allowed

Salary

$128k–$157k

Management role

Skills & keywords

Required skills

C++14/17/20concurrencymemory managementnetwork programminginterfaces protocols

Preferred skills

10+ years C++mission systemsRF SATCOMpublish/subscribeavionics

Specializations

C++distributed systemsreal-time systemsmission systemsnetwork programming

Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Atlanta, GA, USA

Hybrid City