Senior Test Technician
About The Position
Firestorm Labs is seeking a hands-on and analytical Senior Test Technician to join its production team in San Diego. The role supports the Tempest, Squall, and Hurricane FPV aircraft lines within an Integrated Product Team. The technician verifies that sub-assemblies and aircraft perform as designed before they proceed to Flight Test or customers, working closely with Manufacturing Technicians, Quality Inspectors, and Manufacturing Engineering. The position performs in-process and end-of-line functional tests, operates and maintains test stands, and uses test and field data to provide feedback that improves production builds. Duties include engine testing, electrical and avionics checks, calibration and maintenance of test equipment, accurate recording and serial traceability of test results, troubleshooting, and support for quality and corrective-action processes. The role reports to the Senior Manager of Production Operations and is based onsite at Firestorm’s San Diego headquarters, primarily on the production floor and at test stands.
Requirements
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education.
- Must meet the posting’s U.S. Person requirement under 22 CFR § 120.62 due to ITAR regulations, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals with asylee or refugee status.
- At least 5 years of hands-on test, troubleshooting, or technician experience in aerospace, defense, UAS, automotive, or electronics.
- Experience using multimeters, power supplies, and basic electrical and mechanical test equipment.
- Experience reading schematics, wiring diagrams, drawings, and test procedures.
- Troubleshooting skills and disciplined data recording.
- Ability to communicate test results clearly to Manufacturing and Quality.
Nice To Haves
- Technical certificate or associate degree in electronics, avionics, or mechanical technology.
- Experience with small engines (carbureted or EFI), engine test stands, or engine break-in.
- Experience with UAS or FPV systems, including flight controllers, ESCs, motors, radios, and configuration software such as Betaflight, ArduPilot, or PX4.
- Experience with automated cable testers such as Cirris or with oscilloscopes.
- IPC/WHMA-A-620 or IPC J-STD-001 certification.
- CAD skills for quick-turn fixtures and test tooling.
- Experience in an AS9100-compliant environment and with Jira or an ERP/MES system.
Responsibilities
- Perform in-process and final functional testing of sub-assemblies and aircraft according to test procedures, routers, and work orders.
- Conduct engine break-in and run testing on test stands for carbureted and EFI engines, recording performance data against acceptance criteria.
- Perform electrical and avionics checks, including harness continuity and hipot testing, power-up checks, flight controller configuration, firmware loading, and RF link verification.
- Set up, calibrate, operate, and maintain test stands, fixtures, and test equipment, and keep calibration records current.
- Accurately record test results in routers and test records with full serial traceability.
- Hand off tested assemblies to Inspection or Flight Test using the standard handoff log and note open items.
- Troubleshoot failures to the component or assembly level and clearly document findings.
- Analyze defects returned from Flight Test and provide findings to Quality to support root cause analysis and corrective action.
- Identify and tag nonconforming units and support NCMR entry in Jira.
- Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop and improve test procedures, fixtures, and test stand designs.
- Perform other duties as directed.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
- Equity grants for new hires.
- Unlimited PTO.
- Company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July and December.
- Generous parental leave.
- Lifestyle Spending Account.
- FSA, DCFSA, and HSA.
- Hospital indemnity insurance.
- Critical illness insurance.
- Accident insurance.
- Basic Life/AD&D and short-term and long-term disability insurance, fully covered by Firestorm; option to purchase additional life insurance for the employee and family.
- Free 24/7 mental health resources, including therapy, and work-life services such as free legal and financial support.
- Career growth opportunities.
- Hourly base pay of $32.00–$42.00, commensurate with experience.
- Meaningful equity grant.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
High school or GED
