Principal Automation Engineer

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

10h•$238,000 - $262,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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. Firestorm is seeking a Principal Automation Engineer to own the software that takes UAS platforms from first power-on to mission-ready flight. This role is responsible for delivering integrated, reliable systems across autonomy, vehicle control, and verification, with direct impact on platforms that are designed, built, and flown on rapid timelines. You will operate at the center of hardware, autonomy, and test, making decisions that directly affect system performance, reliability, and mission success. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who wants to move quickly from code to flight, take ownership of outcomes, and iterate on real systems in the lab and in the air.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field; may substitute equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of a degree
15+ years of experience in UAS, robotics, autonomous systems, or software engineering
U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
Hands-on experience with autopilot systems such as PX4, ArduPilot or similar platforms, and MAVLink-based communication
Strong proficiency in Python and C or C++ for flight software and test frameworks
Demonstrated experience designing and operating SIL and HIL systems
Experience operating at a staff or principal level with ownership of crossfunctional, team, technical direction
Effectively communicates complex technical concepts clearly to both engineering and program stakeholders
Aligns crossfunctional teams including hardware, systems, and manufacturing without respectful authority
Comfortable working collaboratively across engineering, operations, and customer-facing teams
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) for data tracking, reporting, and communication

Nice To Haves

Comfortable operating in fast-moving, ambiguous environments; creates clarity and drives execution with incomplete requirements
Track record of building reusable tools and frameworks adopted beyond the immediate team
Strong systems thinker with focus on scalable and maintainable solutions
Methodical and persistent in diagnosing integration and test failures
Willing to work hands-on in the lab and on the flight line; owns problems through resolution

Responsibilities

Deliver integrated, flight-ready software across autopilot, onboard compute, and vehicle systems
Lead bring-up, integration, and validation on hardware, driving issues through resolution to flight
Define and control software interfaces across flight systems, payloads, and ground control
Set software architecture, coding standards, and design patterns within the team
Make system-level tradeoffs across embedded software, autonomy, and test infrastructure
Design, build, and scale automated test frameworks across unit, integration, SIL, and HIL
Develop and operate HIL environments with realistic sensor, telemetry, and vehicle simulation
Establish repeatable verification workflows that enable rapid iteration with high confidence
Build tooling for real-time monitoring, data capture, and post-flight analysis
Support flight test campaigns and convert test data into actionable improvements
Reduce cycle time from code change to validated flight behavior
Act as a technical authority across software integration and verification efforts

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
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.