Staff Project Engineer, UAS Development

Firestorm•San Diego, CA

49d•Onsite

About The Position

At Firestorm, we are building the future of expeditionary defense manufacturing and autonomous systems. Modern conflict has exposed a fundamental problem: the systems needed most by operators are often too expensive, too slow to produce, and too difficult to sustain at scale. Firestorm exists to change that. We develop mission-adaptable aerial systems and deployable manufacturing infrastructure designed to put capability directly into the hands of the warfighter. From modular unmanned aircraft to xCell -- our deployable microfactory -- our goal is to make defense systems rapidly deployable, adaptable, and producible at the point of need. We are looking for builders, operators, and problem-solvers who want to work on meaningful technology with real-world impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
12+ years of experience in aerospace development, with at least 3 years in a Project Engineer or equivalent technical program execution role.
Experience in aircraft architecture, airframe development, or aircraft software development.
Experience with flight controls, communications, or payload integration highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience building or substantially improving an engineering process (e.g., design review structure, configuration management, verification planning)—not just following an existing one.
Ability to work in fast-paced, evolving environments with rapid development cycles.
Deep understanding of first order principles, demonstrated by hand calculations of statics and mechanics.
Proficient in systems engineering and technical program execution methodologies.
Familiar with CAD and simulation tools (e.g., SolidWorks, MATLAB/Simulink).
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.

Nice To Haves

15+ years of experience in aerospace development.
5+ years in unmanned aerial systems or autonomous platforms.
Prior experience mentoring or informally leading engineers, even without a formal management title.
Private pilot, home-build aircraft, or RC build aircraft experience highly desirable.
Understanding of autonomy, AI/ML integration, or edge computing for UAS.
Familiarity with DoD, NASA, or commercial UAS programs.
Knowledge of UAS regulatory frameworks (FAA Part 107 or COA) and airworthiness requirements.

Responsibilities

Manage technical maturity, ensuring alignment with program timelines and budgets.
Lead and coordinate program reviews from conceptual design reviews through production readiness reviews.
Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams including aero-performance, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, autonomy, software, flight testing, and payload integration.
Translate system specifications into derived requirements and manage system-level architecture and interfaces.
Provide peer reviews for technical deliverables such as stress analyses and flight test plans.
Ensure all subsystems (flight control, navigation, communication, propulsion, etc.) are effectively integrated and tested.
Map verification and validation methods to requirements.
Communicate technical risks through appropriate stakeholders.
Own the systems engineering practices, digital engineering tools, and agile execution structures used across UAS programs. These will be a reusable standard for the team.
Establish repeatable templates and entry/exit criteria for design and program reviews so review quality doesn't depend on who's running it.
Build and maintain configuration management and interface control practices that scale as program count and team size grow.
Capture lessons learned from each development cycle and convert them into concrete process changes, checklists, or tooling.
Identify recurring cross-functional friction points (e.g., handoffs between design, manufacturing, and flight test) and design lightweight processes to close them.
Partner with engineering leadership to decide where formal process adds value versus where it slows down iteration. This role is expected to professionalize execution without over-processing a fast-moving org.
Support development of cross-functional input to test plans, test procedures, and data analysis for UAS verification and validation.
Ensure airworthiness, safety, and compliance with relevant UAS standards and operational guidelines (e.g., Part 107 or COA).
Interface with internal teams, suppliers, customers, and government agencies to align expectations and ensure project success.
Prepare and deliver project reports, risk assessments, and technical presentations to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Equity grants for new hires
Unlimited PTO
Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in July & 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.
Option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
Mental Health Resources: free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more.
Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available.