Fellow, Manufacturing Systems Engineer

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

7h•$250,000 - $290,000•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm Labs is seeking a Fellow, Manufacturing Systems Engineer to lead the technical direction of its deployable manufacturing capability: a production system that can be shipped, rapidly set up in a warehouse or temporary facility, and operated near customers. The role owns the system’s architecture and evolution, including the processes and equipment required to produce and support Firestorm aircraft and, as broadly as possible, other Group 1–3 unmanned systems. The position serves as the system’s technical authority, with final approval over designs, tooling, processes, and equipment that feed into it. The engineer works with the aircraft design team from early concepts through release to ensure designs can be manufactured using the deployable system, and establishes standards aligned with headquarters production. This is an individual-contributor role that leads cross-functional project teams and reports to the VP of Manufacturing. The role leads development, prove-out, packaging, and field deployment of the capability. It also represents the system to customers, government stakeholders, and partners, develops technology partnerships with equipment vendors, and informs capital budgets, timelines, and business cases. The position is on-site at Firestorm’s San Diego headquarters, with travel of up to 15–25%, increasing to as much as 40% during initial deployments and other surge periods, including international sites. Relocation assistance may be included where appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial, or a related discipline); in lieu of a degree, 20+ years of progressive experience in the same or a related technical field.
Must be a U.S. Person as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62 due to ITAR regulations, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals with asylee or refugee status.
15+ years of engineering experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing, or 12+ years with a master’s degree in engineering or a related field.
Broad working knowledge of aircraft manufacturing processes, including additive, composites, metallics, assembly, integration, validation, and test.
Deep understanding of aircraft design and a track record of influencing designs for manufacturability.
Experience architecting and establishing production lines, cells, or facilities, including selecting, specifying, and commissioning equipment and processes.
Technical leadership experience across programs or sites, including leading cross-functional project teams.
Experience applying existing technologies in new ways to solve manufacturing problems.
Experience building capital budgets, timelines, and business cases for manufacturing equipment and facilities.
Experience presenting to senior leadership, customers, and government stakeholders.
Willingness and ability to work hands-on to build, test, and prove out new processes and systems.
Experience with 2D and 3D modeling software.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
Experience with SolidWorks and Siemens NX.
Experience with Group 1–3 unmanned aircraft systems.
Experience with expeditionary, field-deployable, or mobile manufacturing, or military field maintenance and repair.
Patents or published work in manufacturing technology.
Experience with tooling and fixture design and GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
Experience with digital manufacturing tools such as CAM, additive build preparation, or digital work instructions.
Startup or high-growth company experience.

Responsibilities

Own the architecture of the deployable manufacturing capability, including processes, equipment, and layout across additive manufacturing, composites, metallics, assembly, integration, validation, and test.
Set the long-term technology and capability roadmap and align it with Firestorm’s product plans and customer needs.
Provide final technical approval for designs, tooling, processes, and equipment incorporated into the deployable system.
Identify and evaluate processes and equipment that make deployable production practical, including new applications of existing technologies; conduct vendor evaluations and trials.
Work with the aircraft design team from early concepts through release to ensure aircraft designs can be built in the deployable system.
Set technical standards for engineers, suppliers, and production sites, and align the deployable system with headquarters production through common equipment and processes.
Lead cross-functional project teams through development, prove-out, and deployment, and mentor other engineers.
Lead hands-on system prove-out, from initial trials to a capability proven before shipment.
Define how the system is packaged, shipped, set up, and torn down, and lead its initial field deployments.
Represent the capability to customers, government stakeholders, and partners, and build technology partnerships with equipment vendors.
Create and inform capital budgets, timelines, and business cases for the system and its equipment.
Perform other duties as needed.

Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
Equity grant for new hires.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
Unlimited PTO.
Company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July and December.
Generous parental leave.
Lifestyle Spending Account.
FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
Hospital indemnity, critical illness, and accident insurance.
Basic Life/AD&D and short- and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm; optional additional life insurance for employees and their families.
Free 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy, and work-life services such as free legal and financial support.
Relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate.