What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Engineer position at Hop Aero?
About Hop Aero
Hop Aero is building the physical internet - we operate at the intersection of aerospace, national security, and hard execution.
This is not a research project. We build hardware, test it aggressively, learn fast, and iterate. The work is demanding, the environment is unforgiving, and the stakes are real. We are looking for people who want to contribute to protecting our way of life - not just spectating.
About the role
This is a high-ownership role for someone who wants to build operational capability from the ground up. You'll be responsible for making sure our test site, people, and hardware can execute reliably and repeatedly under real-world constraints.
You ensure engineering intent becomes operational reality. When something does not work in the field, it is your problem to solve. When something needs to exist for testing to proceed, you make it happen. You will be trusted with autonomy and judged by outcomes.
What you’ll do
- Own large portions of company-wide execution and day-to-day operations
- Lead setup, execution, and teardown of ground and flight test activities
- Identify operational bottlenecks and close them decisively
- Interface closely with design engineers to ensure hardware is testable and operable
- Define and improve procedures, checklists, and safety practices
- Coordinate logistics, suppliers, and on-site resources to keep testing moving
- Capture lessons learned and translate them into durable operational improvements
- Help onboard and mentor future operations and test hires as the team grows
What we’re looking for
- Bias for taking action
- Solid engineering background (prior aerospace experience a huge plus)
- Ability to context-switch between engineering, operations, and logistics
- Comfortable being accountable for outcomes, not just tasks
- Willingness to travel as needed
Nice to have
- Startup or early-stage company experience
- Military, veteran, or government program background
- Test engineering, flight test, or launch operations experience
- Experience standing up new facilities or test infrastructure
This position may require access to export-controlled information. Applicants must be a U.S. Person under ITAR.