Senior Manager, Flight Test Engineering

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

7d•$165,000 - $195,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Firestorm, we are building autonomous aerial systems that operate where they are needed most, when they are needed most. Our mission requires speed, ingenuity, and a relentless commitment to engineering excellence. Firestorm is seeking a Senior Manager to lead our Flight Test team & drive execution and coordination across the full development lifecycle of our unmanned aerial systems. As the Senior Manager of Flight Test Engineering at Firestorm Labs, you will lead the team responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating the flight test activities that validate our autonomous aerial systems. You will mentor, develop, and guide a high-performing group of flight test engineers, setting technical direction while fostering a culture of accountability, curiosity, and operational excellence. While you will collaborate closely with Flight Test Operations, your core ownership is the engineering strategy behind test design, system integration, instrumentation, and data analysis. In this role, you will shape the engineering roadmap for flight testing, partner cross-functionally to resolve complex integration challenges, and build processes that support rapid iteration without compromising safety or rigor. You’ll leverage deep experience with unmanned systems to translate development priorities into executable test plans, accelerate system maturation, and help deliver mission-ready capabilities that push the boundaries of autonomous aviation. The ideal candidate will drive operational excellence across test activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize cross-functional collaboration to deliver mission-critical autonomous systems that transform defense capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in testing unmanned aerial systems with at least 5 years in a leadership position
U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
Proven expertise in both software and hardware integration for complex autonomous systems
Demonstrated success leading flight test operations as a Test Director for mission-critical platforms
Strong understanding of aviation regulations and compliance requirements for unmanned systems
Experience managing technical teams with diverse skill sets across operations and engineering
Exceptional problem-solving abilities for troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues
Outstanding communication skills for conveying technical concepts to stakeholders at all levels
Flexibility to adapt to dynamic schedules and willingness to travel to test sites as required
Current FAA Part 107 certification or ability to obtain one
Ability to operate in fast paced, iterative development environments

Nice To Haves

Masters degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field
12+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense engineering role supporting
Experience with test automation frameworks for complex system integration
Familiarity with autonomy, onboard compute, or AI or ML enabled edge systems
Acquainted with DoD, NASA, or defense UAS programs

Responsibilities

Lead both the Flight Test Engineering Team, providing technical guidance, and leadership.
Establish and refine flight test methodologies for evaluating mission autonomy capabilities using surrogate vehicles in fast-paced test environments
Develop long-term capacity planning for flight test capabilities to support future product initiatives and company growth
Drive cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Product, Engineering and Program Management to align test strategies with product development roadmaps
Cultivate a strong organizational foundation focused on safety standards, regulatory adherence, and performance
Ensure compliance with FAA and other regulatory requirements throughout all flight test operations
Collaborate with government entities and private companies to execute complex test events that meet all stakeholder requirements
Manage resource allocation, budgeting, and scheduling for flight test campaigns across multiple programs
Create and implement standardized processes, metrics, and KPIs to measure test effectiveness and drive continuous improvement

Benefits

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 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.