Senior Electrical Engineer - Weapons

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

4d•$115,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm is building next-generation, deployable combat systems, and we’re looking for a Senior Electrical Engineer to join our Munitions Group. In this role, you’ll own the electrical design, integration, test, and certification of Electronic Safe-and-Arm Devices (ESAD) and Electronic Safe-Arm-and-Fire (ESAF) systems across our tactical sUAS platforms—ensuring every effector stays inert until intentionally armed, functions reliably on command, and remains compliant from concept through field deployment. This role sits at the heart of how our munitions are made safe. You’ll architect and integrate the firing electronics, energy storage and management, environmental sensing, and arming logic that keep weapons inert until the right conditions are met—then deliver precise, repeatable function on command. One day may fly by on schematic capture and PCB layout for a proposed firing set; the next may be lab characterization of arm/fire sequences, or range support evaluating effect on target. From interface control documentation and preliminary design reviews to Fuze Safety Review Board qualification, you’ll be the technical owner who turns rigorous safety requirements into fielded, mission-ready hardware. You’ll work at the intersection of warfighter intent and technical execution, balancing rigor with agility, and compliance with tactical need. This career is for electrical engineers who treat safety as a discipline, sweat the details, and thrive in a fast-moving, multi-disciplinary environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, or a related STEM field — or equivalent engineering experience in lieu of a degree.
Minimum of 7 years of electrical engineering experience, including at least 3 years directly supporting safe-and-arm, fuzing, or munitions firing electronics.
Hands-on experience designing firing-set or initiation electronics—energy storage and management, charge/fire circuitry, and electric initiator interfaces.
Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB layout tools, mixed-signal design, and electrical bring-up and debug of prototype hardware.
Working knowledge of fuze and weapon safety design criteria, including MIL-STD-1316 and related safe-and-arm standards.
Familiarity with environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO considerations for ordnance electronics.
Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interface with other departments and represent the organization as a prime technical contact.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to formulate and implement plans to resolve technical engineering problems.
U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience designing ESAD/ESAF systems for guided munitions, loitering munitions, or air-delivered weapons.
Experience taking a safe-and-arm device through Fuze Safety Review Board (FSRB) qualification.
Hands-on experience with electric initiation systems such as exploding bridgewire (EBW), exploding foil initiators (EFI), or hot-wire devices.
Working knowledge of MIL-STD-1901, MIL-STD-1911, STANAG 4187, and related fuze safety and interoperability standards.
Experience with EMI/EMC and HERO qualification testing for ordnance.
Experience collaborating closely with embedded software/firmware teams on arming logic and built-in test.
Familiarity with Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) and store/payload interface standards.
Experience working with DoD customers or within the defense acquisition environment.
Proficiency with Jira, Confluence, or similar project tracking tools.
Hands-on field experience supporting ground or flight test of UAS platforms or weapon systems.
Experience working with military range authorities and supporting Explosive Safety Submissions (ESS).
Active DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical owner for ESAD/ESAF integration across Firestorm munition payloads—leading electrical design, integration, test, and certification on sUAS platforms.
Design firing-set electronics—including energy storage and management, charge/fire circuitry, and initiation interfaces for electric initiators.
Architect arming and safety logic—including independent environmental sensing and arming features—to satisfy fuze design safety criteria and prevent inadvertent function.
Develop schematic capture, PCB layout, and mixed-signal designs, addressing signal integrity, power integrity, and reliability across the full operating envelope.
Define and document the electrical interfaces between the ESAD/ESAF, flight controller, payload bus, and host platform via Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
Lead environmental, EMI/EMC, and HERO (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) analysis and testing to ensure safe operation in the deployed electromagnetic environment.
Plan and execute test campaigns across bench, environmental, ground, and flight environments—supporting test readiness reviews, arm/fire sequence characterization, and post-test data analysis.
Ensure all safe-and-arm designs comply with applicable DoD fuze safety standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1316, MIL-STD-1901, STANAG 4187) and applicable airworthiness and export regulations (e.g., ITAR).
Lead or support Fuze Safety Review Board (FSRB) qualification efforts, including safety assessments, hazard analyses, and qualification test documentation.
Develop and present technical material at internal and external design reviews, customer meetings, and certification milestones.
Coordinate with embedded software, mechanical, and payloads teams—and with external partners on initiation systems, fuzing, and energetic materials—to close the full effector chain.
Collaborate with program managers to align technical execution with program objectives, schedules, and constraints, and support proposals, white papers, and early-phase concept development for future safe-and-arm and fuzing capabilities.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision 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.