Senior Manufacturing Engineer, NPI

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

1d•$121,000 - $164,000•Onsite

About The Position

Firestorm is building mission-adaptive UAV platforms designed for rapid deployment and scalable production. As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, NPI, you will play a key role in turning early designs into production-ready systems and shaping how we build as we scale. You will own manufacturing from design transfer through production ramp, helping take products from prototype to full-rate production. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will build processes, stand up production capability, and solve problems in real time. You will work closely with design engineering, quality, and operations, influencing product decisions while creating the manufacturing foundation behind them. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, moves with urgency, and is comfortable operating in ambiguity. You enjoy building from scratch, figuring things out as you go, and putting structure in place where it does not yet exist. You are just as comfortable on the production floor as you are thinking through process strategy, and you take pride in delivering practical, scalable solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including significant ownership of NPI or production ramp efforts
U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance.
Proven experience developing and scaling manufacturing processes from prototype through low-rate and full-rate production
Strong GD&T fluency and ability to interpret and influence engineering drawings
Hands-on experience designing tooling, fixtures, and production systems using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD tools
Deep working knowledge of quality systems such as AS9100 and AS9102, and configuration management practices
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional efforts, influence stakeholders, and drive decisions in ambiguous environments
Strong technical writing skills with the ability to create clear, effective, operator-focused documentation
Data-driven approach to process optimization, with experience applying metrics, SPC, or statistical methods
Comfortable operating both strategically and tactically, including regular time on the production floor and managing competing priorities under schedule pressure

Nice To Haves

Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry.
Experience in a startup or high-growth environment building manufacturing systems from the ground up
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher, with demonstrated continuous improvement impact
Experience with MES platforms such as Epsilon3, Solumina, or similar
Background in UAV or UAS, aerospace systems, RF systems, electromechanical assembly, or composite structures
Experience with special processes such as welding, soldering (IPC-A-610 or IPC-A-620), bonding, NDT, or coatings
Familiarity with DFARS, ITAR compliance, and CUI requirements in a production environment
Experience leveraging data tools such as Power BI, Python, or similar to drive manufacturing insights and KPIs
Experience using AI or LLM tools to accelerate engineering outputs such as work instructions, process documentation, or analysis
Experience with Arena PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems
Exposure to DCMA or government source inspection environments

Responsibilities

Lead DFM and DFA efforts with design engineering, influencing product design to ensure manufacturability, scalability, and cost targets
Own end-to-end process development for assigned product lines, including process flow, routing, work instructions, control plans, and standard work
Architect and implement production lines, including tooling, assembly fixtures, and test systems, from concept through validation and release
Lead process FMEA activities and define robust control plans with appropriate inspection strategies and SPC implementation
Plan and execute First Article Inspections per AS9102, ensuring full characteristic accountability and production readiness
Define and qualify acceptance test procedures, equipment, and infrastructure required for production
Perform capacity modeling and rate readiness planning, informing staffing, equipment, and facility requirements
Drive ERP and MRP routing strategy, labor standards, and MES integration to enable traceability and operational efficiency
Lead root cause analysis for manufacturing issues and drive timely, effective corrective actions across cross-functional teams
Develop scalable operator training programs, workmanship standards, and production skill matrices
Ensure compliance with ITAR and CUI requirements across all manufacturing documentation and data systems
Lead manufacturing readiness and gate reviews, clearly communicating risks, tradeoffs, and mitigation plans

Benefits

We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in December.
Generous Parental Leave
FSA
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.