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Modular Unmanned Autonomous Systems | Designed for the Warfighter, Built at the Edge.
The Role
The Senior Electrical Engineer designs PCBs, develops electrical systems, collaborates with teams, and ensures manufacturability and reliability of hardware products.
Summary Generated by Built In
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.
About the Role
Firestorm is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our growing hardware team. In this role, you’ll be responsible for executing complex printed circuit board (PCB) designs across our product lines, with a strong focus on performance, manufacturability, and reliability. You’ll drive layout standards and collaborate closely with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams. This is a highly technical, hands-on position where your deep expertise in high-speed layout, signal integrity, and PCB manufacturing will have a direct impact on Firestorm’s hardware success.
What You’ll Do
· Shape, support, and design electrical systems and subsystems for new products and components. Conduct PCB/A design including collecting requirements, schematic design, component selection, supervision or completion of layout, bring-up, test, debug, and integration with the system
· Design high density interconnect (HDI) boards and flexible/flex-rigid circuits for space- and weight-constrained applications
· Ability to build electromechanical subsystems for testing and validation
· Determines technical objectives for solution(s) to advanced technical engineering problems
· Apply best practices in PCB design for manufacturability, reliability, and performance
· Interpret and apply IPC standards, PCB material properties, and stack-up requirements
· Design PCBs involving power electronics, RF, high-speed digital, and analog circuits
· Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, thermal, and test engineering teams throughout the product development cycle
· Interface directly with PCB fabrication and assembly vendors to drive high-quality outcomes
· Manage project timelines, track deliverables, and prioritize work across multiple initiatives
· Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, thermal, and test engineering teams throughout the product development cycle
· Ensure all designs meet quality and schedule commitments
· Clearly document technical decisions and present layout reviews to internal stakeholders
· Perform other duties as required
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related field; Master's preferred, or equivalent experience
· U.S. Person status (Citizen or Permanent Resident) required due to ITAR regulations.
· 7+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering capacity
· Experience with conducting PCB/A design including collecting requirements, schematic design, component selection, supervision or completion of layout, bring-up, test, debug, and/or integration with the system
· Experience with schematic capture of electrical circuit design software
· Experience with RF systems and analog designs
· Knowledge of high voltage DC power systems
· Familiarity with power architecture and high-speed digital design
· Experiencing reading and interpreting designs/schematics
· Hands-on experience working with battery-powered products
· Experience working with suppliers and managing relations
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience with advanced battery management systems and energy harvesting technologies
· Previous experience working in a fast-paced startup environment
· Experience with Altium
· Knowledge of compliance requirements and standards in the defense sector.
· Familiarity with reliability testing and validation methodologies
· Background in aerospace
Work Environment
· Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA or remote.
· We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating. Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
· Compensation
US Salary Range: $135,000 - $165,000 USD
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.
Benefits & Perks
Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
· We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
· 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
· Equity grants for new hires
· Unlimited PTO
· Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & December.
· Generous Parental Leave
· Lifestyle Spending Account
· FSA
· DCFSA
· HSA
· Hospital Indemnity insurance
· Critical Illness insurance
· Accident insurance
· Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
· Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
Export Control Compliance
To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.
Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] so we can provide the support you need.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
- 7+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering
- Experience with PCB design including schematic design and component selection
- Experience with RF systems and analog designs
- Hands-on experience with battery-powered products
- Experience with advanced battery management systems and energy harvesting technologies
- Familiarity with compliance requirements in the defense sector
Firestorm Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Firestorm and has not been reviewed or approved by Firestorm.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, and vision, with company‑paid life/AD&D and short‑ and long‑term disability plus optional hospital indemnity, critical illness, and accident insurance. Tax‑advantaged accounts and mental‑health resources are also highlighted.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes “unlimited PTO” and an unusually generous holiday calendar that features a year‑end hiatus. Generous parental leave is also called out.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Multiple postings list explicit salary ranges for roles across engineering, operations, and field positions, and internship hourly rates are published. These disclosures provide clearer expectations on cash compensation for many candidates.
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The Company
What We Do
We are building the future of modular, open-source architectures supporting the Department of Defense requirements to create Affordable Mass. Firestorm is redefining military expectations for on-site modularity to support the widest array of mission areas.
