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Modular Unmanned Autonomous Systems | Designed for the Warfighter, Built at the Edge.
The Role
The Senior Quality Engineer will establish a quality foundation for xCell, leading investigations on manufacturing issues, interfacing with suppliers, and developing inspection criteria while utilizing continuous improvement methodologies.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Opportunity
Quality at Firestorm isn't a policing function — it's a competitive advantage. We're looking for a Senior Quality Engineer who understands the difference and wants to build something from the ground up. There is no inherited QMS to maintain, no entrenched process to defend. You'll establish the quality foundation for xCell — from supplier inputs through manufacturing execution — and you'll do it on a team that sees quality as everyone's job, not just yours.
You are someone who is energized by root cause analysis, not intimidated by it. You can also sit across from a supplier and drive accountability and then turn around and work shoulder to shoulder with our engineering and manufacturing teams to make sure the fix actually sticks. If you've spent you career closing loops and making things better, keep reading.
What You’ll Do
- Root cause and corrective action (RCCA) — this is the core of the role. You'll lead structured investigations on internal manufacturing escapes and supplier nonconformances, drive corrective actions to closure, and ensure lessons learned actually change how we operate
- Supplier quality — you'll be our primary interface with suppliers on quality issues, from nonconforming material disposition through corrective action follow-up and ongoing supplier performance monitoring
- In-process and final inspection — develop and maintain inspection criteria, work instructions, and acceptance standards that keep pace with our evolving product line
- Nonconforming material (NCMR) management — own the process from identification through disposition, including MRB participation
- Process quality — work alongside engineering and manufacturing to ensure quality is designed in, not inspected in; support NPI and ECO implementation with a quality lens
- QMS foundation — contribute to building a quality management system that will ultimately serve all of Firestorm, not just xCell
- Metrics and reporting — define the quality indicators that matter, track them, and use them to drive improvement
- Collaborate with production supervisors and operators to resolve in-process quality escapes and minimize defect rates.
- Develop, review, and maintain process control plans, control charts, and statistical process control (SPC) metrics as needed.
- Analyze process data to identify trends, variation sources, and improvement opportunities; drive data-driven decision making.
- Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, rework, and scrap in alignment with continuous improvement goals.
- Support customer source inspections and third-party audits as required.
- You may need to travel up to 20%, if the need arises.
- Perform other duties as needed
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related discipline) or in lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years’ experience of relative experience.
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
- 5+ years of progressive quality engineering experience in an aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing environment.
- Experience with Continuous Improvement (CI) tools and methodologies
- Experience working within an AS9100 or equivalent quality management system.
- Experience with inspection tools and measurement techniques (i.e. CMM, GD&T interpretation, and/or calibration practices).
- Experience conducting or supporting root cause analysis (RCCA) using structured methodologies (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, etc.).
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, and/or GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
- Experience with statistical quality tools: i.e. SPC, Cpk/Ppk, MSA, and/or control charts.
Preferred Qualifications
- AS9100 Lead Auditor certification or internal auditor training.
- ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Quality Technician (CQT).
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification or equivalent CI methodologies and tools
- Experience with FMEA, control plans, PPAP and/or APQP methodologies.
- Experience supporting DCMA, FAA, or other regulatory audits.
- Familiarity with inspection requirements and challenges associated with additive manufacturing, including complex geometries and unique acceptance criteria.
Work Environment
- Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
- 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: $130-170k 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.
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we're building toward a future defined by incontestable defense logistics. That means equipping warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need. Not in months, not from a depot halfway around the world, but now, in the field, on demand.
We're a VC-backed defense technology company pioneering an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem that produces and sustains modular, mission-adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components for repair and sustainment, and the software to transform point solutions into a network of strategic assets.
We're building a team of engineers, operators, and problem-solvers who believe the future of deterrence cannot rely only on expensive, exquisite platforms made in centralized factories. We build and field affordable systems using distributed production capabilities at the edge. If you want to solve challenging problems that will reshape the future of defense, you're in the right place.
Why This Role, Why Now
xCell is at an inflection point. Fielded systems, real customers, and an aggressive development roadmap mean quality matters more every day. The person who takes this role will build the quality foundation that scales with us, and they'll have the autonomy and organizational support to do it right.
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
- Equity grants for new hires
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & 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 Engineering or 10 years of related experience
- 5+ years of progressive quality engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing
- Experience with Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies
- Experience working within an AS9100 or equivalent quality management system
- Experience with inspection tools and measurement techniques
- Experience conducting root cause analysis using structured methodologies
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
- Experience with statistical quality tools
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.
