Project Engineer, UAS Development

Firestorm • San Diego, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm is seeking a Project Engineer to drive execution and coordination across the full development lifecycle of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The role connects engineering, manufacturing, flight test, and program execution, helping move designs from concept through prototype, flight test, and production readiness. It combines systems engineering, aerospace and mechanical fundamentals, hands-on engineering, and technical program execution to mature UAS platforms from initial concept to fielded capability.

The Project Engineer translates mission and system goals into engineering plans, tracks deliverables and risks, coordinates cross-functional technical work, and supports integration and flight activities. The role works with multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, iterative environment and contributes to safe, reliable UAS development and testing.

The position is based at Firestorm’s headquarters in San Diego, California. Candidates may be local or willing to relocate; relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate. The role involves up to 10% domestic travel for testing and demonstrations, flexible hours, and travel to testing locations as needed. The U.S. salary range is $160,000–$190,000.

Firestorm is a defense technology company developing an expeditionary manufacturing ecosystem for modular, mission-adaptable unmanned systems, parts and components, and supporting software. The company describes its workplace culture as collaborative, respectful, and trust-based, with opportunities for career growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in an aerospace or defense engineering role supporting complex electromechanical systems, including at least 2 years as a Project Engineer.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to ITAR regulations, and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance.
• Experience with aircraft platform development, integration, or flight-system maturity.
• Familiarity with flight controls, communications, power systems, avionics, or payload integration.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and first-principles analysis.
• Experience with CAD and simulation tools such as SolidWorks and MATLAB or Simulink.
• Proficiency with systems engineering methodologies and technical program execution.
• Strong communication, organizational, documentation, and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, iterative development environments.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically for testing and demonstrations, work flexible hours, and travel to testing locations as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in an aerospace or defense engineering role supporting complex electromechanical systems.
• At least 2 years of experience with unmanned aerial systems or autonomous platforms.
• Hands-on aircraft or robotics experience, such as FPV or RC aircraft, private piloting, experimental aircraft building, or flight test support.
• Familiarity with autonomy, onboard compute, or AI/ML-enabled edge systems.
• Acquaintance with DoD, NASA, or defense UAS programs.
• Knowledge of FAA Part 107 and COA environments.
• Understanding of UAS airworthiness and safety processes.
• Local to San Diego or open to relocating.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical maturity of UAS systems from concept through production, aligning development with program timelines, budgets, and milestone gates.
• Lead formal design and program reviews, including SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and PRR, while supporting rapid build-fly-learn iteration.
• Coordinate technical work across aerospace performance, mechanical, electrical, autonomy, software, propulsion, manufacturing, systems integration, flight test, and payload teams.
• Translate mission and system specifications into derived requirements, interface definitions, and architecture documentation.
• Maintain system architecture artifacts and interface control documentation, supporting agile development and configuration management.
• Conduct and support technical reviews of structural analyses, aerodynamic assessments, subsystem integration, avionics and electrical architecture, autonomy and controls logic, and flight test plans.
• Ensure integration across flight controls, navigation, communications, propulsion, power, avionics, autonomy, and payload subsystems.
• Define and map verification and validation methods, and support development of test assets such as hardware-in-the-loop setups, ground rigs, instrumentation, and data pipelines.
• Identify and communicate technical and program risks, airworthiness considerations, and integration issues to stakeholders and leadership.
• Improve engineering workflows, including systems engineering practices, digital engineering tools, and agile execution structures.
• Develop and execute ground and flight test procedures, instrumentation strategies, and rapid data-analysis loops.
• Support and participate in ground and flight test operations, including integration, troubleshooting, and post-flight assessments.
• Ensure safety, airworthiness, and compliance with FAA UAS environments, including Part 107 and COA operations.
• Coordinate with suppliers, government partners, and mission users to align development with operational needs and program objectives.
• Prepare technical reports, milestone packages, risk briefings, and readiness summaries for leadership and defense stakeholders.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Equity grants for new hires.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November and December.
• Generous parental leave.
• Lifestyle Spending Account.
• FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
• Hospital indemnity insurance.
• Critical illness insurance.
• Accident insurance.
• Basic life/AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm; additional life insurance is available for purchase.
• Free 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy.
• Free legal and financial support services.
• Relocation assistance may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Career growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level