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Modular Unmanned Autonomous Systems | Designed for the Warfighter, Built at the Edge.
The Role
Leads complex technical recruiting searches across electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, avionics, hardware, and related engineering disciplines. Partners with engineering leadership on talent strategy, market mapping, sourcing, pipelines, candidate engagement, compensation, and closing. Advises on specialized talent markets, mentors recruiters, develops scalable recruiting practices, and represents the company in engineering communities. The role supports defense technology hiring subject to ITAR and security-clearance requirements.
Summary Generated by Built In
Firestorm is seeking a highly experienced Staff Recruiter, Engineering to serve as a technical recruiting expert and lead some of the company's most complex, specialized, and business-critical engineering searches.
You are a technical recruiter with deep expertise identifying, engaging, and attracting highly specialized engineering talent, particularly across electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, avionics, hardware, and related technical engineering disciplines, including searches at the Senior, Staff, and other highly specialized levels.
You will operate as a trusted talent advisor to engineering leadership, bringing both recruiting expertise and a strong understanding of highly technical talent markets. You will partner directly with engineering executives, technical leaders, and hiring managers to understand complex technical requirements, translate those requirements into targeted talent strategies, and identify exceptional engineers within highly competitive and often narrow talent pools.
At the Staff level, you will operate with significant autonomy and influence. You will help define talent markets, refine hiring profiles, map competitors and adjacent industries, build long-term technical talent pipelines, and advise leadership on where and how Firestorm can find the engineering capabilities required to scale.
What You'll Do
- Own Firestorm's most complex, niche, and high-priority engineering searches, with particular emphasis on electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, avionics, hardware, and related technical disciplines.
- Recruit highly specialized engineering talent at the Senior, Staff, and other critical levels across multiple engineering functions.
- Develop a deep understanding of Firestorm's technology, products, engineering organization, and technical roadmap to effectively identify and engage specialized talent.
- Partner directly with engineering executives and technical leaders to translate complex technical requirements into targeted recruiting and sourcing strategies.
- Serve as a technical recruiting subject-matter expert, helping hiring leaders distinguish between required capabilities, transferable expertise, and skills that can be developed after hire.
- Conduct sophisticated talent mapping and market intelligence across aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, robotics, advanced manufacturing, electronics, and adjacent technology industries.
- Build targeted talent maps around competitors, research organizations, technical communities, universities, programs, products, and specialized engineering domains.
- Identify and engage highly qualified passive candidates who may not be accessible through traditional recruiting channels.
- Develop creative sourcing strategies using advanced Boolean search, technical communities, professional networks, research publications, patents, conferences, referrals, competitive intelligence, and direct outreach.
- Build and maintain strategic pipelines of engineering talent for current and anticipated workforce needs rather than recruiting exclusively against open requisitions.
- Develop credibility with technical candidates by understanding engineering terminology, technologies, career paths, and distinctions between specialized engineering disciplines.
- Advise leadership on talent availability, competitive landscapes, compensation considerations, geographic constraints, and other factors affecting specialized engineering hiring.
- Use recruiting data and market intelligence to identify pipeline risks, sourcing challenges, and opportunities and recommend adjustments to hiring strategy.
- Deliver a highly personalized and compelling candidate experience capable of attracting sought-after engineers with multiple competitive opportunities.
- Partner with People, Compensation, and leadership teams on leveling, compensation strategy, offer development, and closing strategies for critical hires.
- Help establish scalable technical recruiting practices, sourcing methodologies, interview frameworks, and talent intelligence capabilities as Firestorm continues to grow.
- Serve as a resource and mentor to other recruiters, sharing technical recruiting expertise, sourcing strategies, market knowledge, and best practices.
- Represent Firestorm within relevant engineering communities, industry events, conferences, universities, and professional networks.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or equivalent. If lieu of degree 10 years of progressive recruitment experience.
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance
- 7+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, with substantial experience recruiting highly technical engineering talent.
- Experience recruiting electrical engineers and other specialized engineering disciplines in competitive talent markets.
- Deep experience sourcing and recruiting talent across electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, avionics, hardware, and closely related technical disciplines.
- Experience independently leading difficult, highly specialized searches where qualified talent pools are limited.
- Advanced expertise in technical sourcing, talent mapping, passive candidate identification, competitive intelligence, and market research.
- Ability to understand complex technical job requirements and translate conversations with engineers into effective sourcing and assessment strategies.
- Experience building talent pipelines beyond traditional job boards and inbound applicants.
- Understanding of engineering organizations, technical career paths, and distinctions between specialized engineering disciplines.
- Exceptional ability to engage and build credibility with highly sought-after technical candidates.
- Experience advising and influencing senior engineering leaders using talent-market data, recruiting expertise, and sound judgment.
- Negotiation and candidate-closing capabilities, particularly for highly competitive or difficult-to-hire talent.
- Experience using applicant tracking systems, sourcing platforms, talent intelligence tools, CRM technology, and recruiting analytics.
- Operate independently, prioritize competing critical searches, and deliver results in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Recruiting experience within aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing, or another highly technical hardware environment.
- Significant experience recruiting electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, avionics, electronics, hardware, or related engineers.
- Experience recruiting engineering talent working on unmanned aircraft systems, aerospace platforms, communications systems, sensors, electronics, manufacturing systems, or related technologies.
- Experience recruiting within environments subject to ITAR, EAR, security-clearance, or other government contracting requirements.
- Established networks within engineering, aerospace, defense, or advanced-technology talent markets.
- Experience building technical talent pipelines and market maps ahead of anticipated organizational growth.
- Experience mentoring or elevating the technical recruiting capabilities of other recruiters.
Who We Are
At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that.
We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell - our deployable microfactory - our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need.
We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.
Work Environment
This position may be hybrid and based out of Firestorm's San Diego headquarters. For the right candidate with demonstrated expertise recruiting highly specialized engineering talent, remote work may also be considered.
Regardless of location, this role requires close partnership with Firestorm's engineering and leadership teams and the ability to operate effectively in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Compensation
- Base salary: $145,000 - $175,000 base, commensurate with experience
- Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
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 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 Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or equivalent; alternatively, 10 years of progressive recruitment experience
- U.S. citizenship due to ITAR regulations
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance
- 7+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience
- Substantial experience recruiting highly technical engineering talent
- Experience recruiting electrical engineers and other specialized engineering disciplines
- Experience sourcing across electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, avionics, hardware, and related engineering disciplines
- Experience independently leading difficult, highly specialized searches
- Advanced technical sourcing, talent mapping, passive candidate identification, competitive intelligence, and market research expertise
- Ability to understand complex technical requirements and develop sourcing and assessment strategies
- Experience building talent pipelines beyond traditional job boards and inbound applicants
- Understanding of engineering organizations, technical career paths, and specialized engineering disciplines
- Ability to engage and build credibility with highly sought-after technical candidates
- Experience advising and influencing senior engineering leaders
- Negotiation and candidate-closing capabilities
- Experience using applicant tracking systems, sourcing platforms, talent intelligence tools, CRM technology, and recruiting analytics
- Ability to operate independently, prioritize competing searches, and work in a fast-paced environment
- Recruiting experience in aerospace, defense, autonomous systems, robotics, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing, or technical hardware
- Experience recruiting engineers working on unmanned aircraft, aerospace platforms, communications systems, sensors, electronics, or manufacturing systems
- Experience in ITAR, EAR, security-clearance, or government-contracting environments
- Established networks within engineering, aerospace, defense, or advanced-technology talent markets
- Experience building technical talent pipelines and market maps ahead of anticipated growth
- Experience mentoring or developing other recruiters’ technical recruiting capabilities
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.
