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Modular Unmanned Autonomous Systems | Designed for the Warfighter, Built at the Edge.
The Role
The role involves validating embedded firmware and software for defense aerial vehicles, focusing on testing, automation, and reliability in embedded Linux environments. Responsibilities include system testing, defect triage, and collaboration with various engineering teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
Who We Are
About the Role
What You’ll Do
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Work Environment
Compensation
Benefits & Perks
ITAR Compliance
Equal Opportunity Statement
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.
Firestorm’s Embedded Linux team builds the software platform that manages our vehicles. The embedded Linux team handles cameras and drivers, configuration and control of radios, and other operating system level services; middleware and Linux services; low-level drivers and HALs; and the critical interfaces that connect autonomy, payloads, and comms.
We’re hiring a Senior Software QA Engineer to be the first deep-testing line for this software stack—validating embedded firmware, board support packages, device drivers, and safety-critical data paths long before Flight Test. You’ll blend expert exploratory/system testing with targeted automation across HIL/SIL rigs, exercising real buses (CAN/CAN-FD, UART, SPI, I²C, Ethernet) and stressing links (MAVLink, Tactical Data Links, etc.) under real-world fault conditions. You’ll partner closely with avionics, autonomy, radio, and payload engineers to harden reliability where it matters most: on the aircraft.
This is a full-time, onsite role at our San Diego HQ. Expect meaningful hands-on time with benches, flight computers, power systems, radios, and sensors to validate end-to-end flight workflows.
- Own system test for embedded Linux, providing fast, actionable feedback on functional defects, timing issues, and regressions that impact flight safety and operator trust.
- Validate engineering work: during sprints engineering individual tasks will be verified to the acceptance criteria defined by the task and verified in the build.
- Plan and execute risk-based strategies: feature/bring-up test plans, exploratory charters, protocol-level regression suites, acceptance criteria, and release sign-off gates ahead of Flight Test.
- Contribute to automation for HIL/SIL:
- SIL: host-based unit/integration tests for drivers and middleware (e.g., gtest/pytest), simulation of sensors/buses, fault-injection hooks.
- HIL: Python-driven benches to exercise serial/CAN/Ethernet I/O, sensor emulators, and power-cycle/bootloader/OTA flows; automate log capture and golden-trace diffs.
- Stand up reproducible rigs: power supplies/electronic loads, CAN analyzers, logic analyzers, GNSS/sensor simulators, programmable RF links; script scenario playback and telemetry injection.
- Instrument and diagnose: collect structured logs/metrics; create packet and log scrapers; use Wireshark, logic-analyzer traces, and serial/TCP/UDP sniffers to isolate timing and state issues quickly.
- Own defect triage: minimize and reproduce; steps, suspected root cause; track to closure with responsible engineers.
- Contribute to safety, security, and reliability hardening aligned to MIL-STD/DO guidance (negative testing, permission audits, fail-safe defaults, persistent-state hygiene).
- Produce clear and concise test docs (plans, procedures, bench/bring-up checklists) and mentor engineers on embedded QA techniques and automation patterns.
- Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years professional QA/SDET experience, including automation for embedded/real-time or safety-critical systems.
- Hands-on testing for embedded Linux and driver/HAL layers across UART/SPI/I²C/CAN-FD/Ethernet.
- Practical experience building automated tests with Python (pytest/Robot or equivalent) controlling benches over serial/CAN/Ethernet; comfort with C/C++ artifacts and host-based unit tests (gtest).
- Comfortable validating networked real-time systems (MAVLink, DDS, WebSockets), async I/O, and telemetry flows under constrained or lossy links.
- Proficient with Linux and Windows test environments, CLI tooling, scripting (Python/Bash/PowerShell), and Git.
- Experience integrating test suites into CI/CD (GitLab CI/Jenkins/GitHub Actions) and working with firmware packaging/bootloaders/OTA.
- Strong exploratory testing, defect isolation, and written communication—able to translate flight and bring-up workflows into crisp, testable scenarios.
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Deep experience with HIL/SIL design (sensor and bus emulation, fault injection, golden-trace comparison) and data-driven test design.
- Experience with PX4/ArduPilot middleware, uORB/parameters, and flight-control logging; familiarity with QGroundControl mission/telemetry workflows.
- Protocol/domain knowledge: MAVLink, STANAG 4586, Cursor-on-Target, DDS/RTPS, CAN diagnostics.
- Comfort with radios, GNSS, IMUs, payload interfaces, and lab bring-up; basic electronics (oscilloscope/logic-analyzer/JTAG) a plus.
- Performance/reliability testing: stress/soak/latency, boot-time and watchdog behavior, power-interrupt/EMI considerations; awareness of DO-178C/DO-160/MIL-STD-810/461 practices.
- Experience with Yocto/Buildroot, containerized benches (Docker/Podman), and artifact reproducibility.
- Test management/reporting (e.g., TestRail/Jira) and metrics for release readiness.
- Onsite at San Diego HQ with frequent hands-on work at benches and labs; tight collaboration with avionics, autonomy, payload, manufacturing, and Flight Test.
- Frequent local field/range support for pre-flight validation in potentially harsh environments; some travel (<20%).
- Fast-paced, iterative development with tight feedback loops; you’ll help harden reliability before software reaches Flight Test.
- Ability to lift/move lab kits (~25 lbs) occasionally and follow lab/range safety procedures.
US Salary Range: $85,000 – $120,000 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.
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
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in December.
- Generous Parental Leave
- FSA
- 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.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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.
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 Robotics, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years professional QA/SDET experience, including automation for embedded/real-time or safety-critical systems
- Hands-on testing for embedded Linux and driver/HAL layers
- Practical experience building automated tests with Python
- Proficient with Linux and Windows test environments
- Strong exploratory testing, defect isolation, and written communication
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
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.
