Jobs at Firestorm

Leads cross-product integration, verification, validation, and test engineering for complex hardware, software, and UAS systems. Owns test strategy, architecture, evidence quality, traceability, defect escalation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action verification across multiple product lines. Builds SIL/HIL, automated regression, lab, instrumentation, and field-test capabilities; leads multidisciplinary test teams; and establishes objective readiness metrics and standards. The role is based onsite in San Diego and supports auditable verification evidence for major product milestones.

Own the Tempest fixed-wing UAS product definition, requirements, roadmap, business case, validation, and field readiness. Translate operator needs into measurable capabilities, manage tradeoffs across performance, cost, schedule, and producibility, and guide testing through customer acceptance and production. Partner with engineering, program management, flight-test, business development, military operators, and customers. The role requires hardware product delivery experience in defense, aerospace, or another regulated industry and on-site work in San Diego.

Lead integration, test, and verification across complex hardware, software, and UAS product lines. Own risk-based verification strategy, test architecture, traceability, readiness evidence, defect escalation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action verification. Build SIL/HIL, automation, instrumentation, and field-test capabilities while leading test engineers and multidisciplinary contributors. Establish objective metrics and auditable evidence to improve coverage, defect diagnosis, and product readiness.

Support new product introduction by transitioning prototype designs into production-ready systems. Develop manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, work instructions, test procedures, and quality documentation. Provide hands-on production-floor support, perform DFM/DFA reviews and First Article Inspection activities, analyze manufacturing data, and resolve nonconformances through root cause analysis. Collaborate with engineering, quality, and operations while maintaining ITAR and CUI compliance.

Develop and maintain software integrations between payload hardware, mission applications, and autonomous systems. Integrate cameras, radios, sensors, SDKs, and APIs; build configuration and monitoring tools; customize operator interfaces; debug Linux, networking, hardware, and distributed software systems; create Docker deployment workflows; and collaborate on upstreaming production-ready changes. Participate in field testing, demonstrations, and operational support.

Owns electrical design, integration, testing, certification, and field deployment of safe-and-arm and safe-arm-and-fire systems for tactical sUAS munitions. Designs firing electronics, energy management, arming logic, interfaces, and mixed-signal hardware; leads environmental, EMI/EMC, HERO, qualification, and safety testing. Coordinates with software, mechanical, payload, program, customer, and external partner teams while ensuring compliance with DoD fuze safety standards, airworthiness requirements, and export controls.

Leads Firestorm’s mechanical engineering organization for sUAS airframes, structures, mechanisms, packaging, and integration hardware. Sets technical standards, oversees design reviews and change control, and partners with manufacturing and quality on producibility and production transitions. Manages hiring, development, performance, and compensation for a multidisciplinary team while coordinating engineering execution across programs. Requires deep mechanical design expertise, aerospace or hardware-industry experience, and substantial people-management experience.

Build and operate platform security for Crucible across cloud, factory, edge, and air-gapped environments. Implement identity, access control, secrets, data protection, supply-chain security, and automated controls. Harden Kubernetes, Linux, containers, and cloud infrastructure; conduct threat modeling, design and code reviews, vulnerability remediation, and security architecture. Support accreditation by translating requirements into technical controls and evidence. Collaborate hands-on with software and infrastructure teams while writing production code and securing deployments.

Design and develop electrical hardware for aircraft, including embedded control electronics, power systems, multilayer PCBs, cable harnesses, and high-speed communications. Own hardware development from concept through simulation, prototyping, testing, validation, production release, and flight test. Diagnose PCB and system issues, create engineering documentation, coordinate component vendors, support project milestones, and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Drive UAS development from concept through production readiness by coordinating multidisciplinary engineering, managing requirements and architecture, leading design reviews, supporting subsystem integration, and executing ground and flight testing. The role also manages technical risks, verification and validation, airworthiness, documentation, supplier coordination, and compliance with FAA UAS operations.

Develop and lead ATAK Android applications for tactical defense operations. Responsibilities include Java development, plugin and integration design, secure communications, C++ integration, testing, documentation, release planning, code review, mentoring, TAK community collaboration, UAS integration, and customer-facing demonstrations. The role also supports secure data handling, interoperability protocols, and real-time operational workflows for government, military, and commercial stakeholders.

Develop and optimize low-level C/C++ firmware for avionics, flight controllers, mission payloads, and embedded subsystems. Port software to new hardware and RTOS platforms, create drivers and BSPs, integrate safety and reliability features, and perform testing and fault diagnosis. Collaborate across hardware, networking, RF, and manufacturing teams to support UAS development, field integration, and deployment. Produce technical specifications, test plans, integration documentation, and troubleshooting guides.

Integrates avionics, payloads, flight controllers, embedded subsystems, and tactical networks for unmanned aerial systems. Responsibilities include configuring and troubleshooting hardware, software, RF, and communications systems; developing automation and integration tools; creating test plans and technical documentation; analyzing performance; repairing equipment; and supporting field deployments. The role collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, customers, and DoD stakeholders in laboratory, manufacturing, and austere field environments.

Leads unmanned aerial system development from conceptual design and prototyping through first flight and productionization. Coordinates multidisciplinary engineering teams, manages system architecture, requirements, interfaces, verification, validation, technical risks, and program reviews. Establishes scalable engineering processes for design reviews, configuration management, and technical execution. Interfaces with suppliers, customers, government agencies, and leadership while supporting flight testing, integration, and field operations.

Conference-related general application for candidates who attended AUSA 2026 and are interested in opportunities at Firestorm Labs across engineering, operations, manufacturing, and business teams. Applicants should submit a resume for follow-up from the talent team. Export-control eligibility is required for work involving regulated technologies.

Owns propulsion development and integration for small piston engines and microturbojets powering sUAS platforms. Responsibilities include engine selection, fuel and exhaust system design, ECU calibration, test-stand and flight testing, failure investigation, propeller qualification, thermal and electrical integration, documentation, and vendor technical leadership. The role is hands-on at test stands, engine cells, and flight lines, with up to 20% domestic travel.

Leads root cause and corrective action investigations, supplier quality, inspections, nonconforming material disposition, process controls, SPC, QMS development, audits, and continuous improvement. Collaborates with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and operators to reduce defects, rework, waste, and scrap while supporting new product introduction and engineering changes. The role is based in San Diego and may require up to 20% travel.

Leads and scales supply chain and logistics for complex electromechanical hardware, including sourcing, supplier management, production planning, inbound and outbound logistics, risk mitigation, and NPI. Builds scalable processes, systems, metrics, and supplier relationships while managing a small team. Partners with engineering, manufacturing, program management, and finance, and supports development of a proprietary MRP/ERP system. Requires global supply chain experience in Asian or INDOPACOM markets and frequent executive communication.

Design and release aerospace parts, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, processes, ground support equipment, and shipping solutions. Drive DFM/DFA, configuration management, GD&T, and model-based definition from early design through production transition. Support tool procurement, commissioning, early builds, and cross-functional resolution of producibility issues across design, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.

Own and scale Firestorm’s export management and compliance program across ITAR, EAR, OFAC, customs, and allied-country regulations. Lead jurisdiction and classification determinations, licensing, screening, technical-data controls, audits, investigations, training, and government interactions. Advise Engineering, Legal, Business Development, Operations, and leadership; integrate compliance into ERP, PLM, and business workflows; manage outside counsel; and build the trade compliance team.