About the Role
Firestorm is building mission-adaptive UAV platforms designed for rapid deployment and scalable production. As a Manufacturing Engineer, NPI, you will support the transition of early designs into production-ready systems, helping scale from prototype builds to low-rate production.
This is a hands‑on role where you will work closely with senior engineers and cross‑functional teams to develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and documentation. You will spend meaningful time on the production floor, learning by doing and contributing directly to how products are built. We are looking for someone who is curious, detail‑oriented, and eager to grow. You enjoy being close to the hardware, solving problems in real time, and building a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering within a fast‑paced environment.
What You’ll Do
- Support DFM and DFA reviews by analyzing drawings and 3D models for manufacturability, flagging tolerance, material, or process concerns
- Develop and maintain clear, visual work instructions with step‑by‑step procedures and accept and reject criteria
- Assist in designing assembly fixtures and jigs with a focus on repeatability and error‑proofing
- Spend significant time on the production floor supporting process setup, debugging, and hands‑on problem solving
- Support First Article Inspection activities per AS9102, including balloon drawings and documentation
- Contribute to process FMEA and control plan development as part of the NPI team
- Help develop and execute test procedures for production acceptance and functional verification
- Collect and analyze manufacturing data such as cycle time, yield, and defects to support continuous improvement
- Assist with root cause analysis on manufacturing nonconformances using structured problem‑solving methods
- Maintain ITAR and CUI compliance across manufacturing documentation and data
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
- 3+ years of manufacturing or production engineering experience
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
- Familiarity with common manufacturing processes such as machining, fabrication, assembly, or composites
- Working knowledge of CAD software such as SolidWorks
- Strong attention to detail and ability to balance speed with accuracy in a production environment
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including ability to create effective work instructions
- Comfortable working cross‑functionally with engineering, quality, and operations teams
- Willingness to spend significant time on the production floor
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in the defense or aerospace industry
- Exposure to aerospace or defense manufacturing standards such as AS9100, AS9102, or MIL-STD
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and basic Six Sigma concepts
- Experience with ERP, MRP, or PLM systems such as Arena or SAP
- Hands‑on experience with measurement tools such as CMMs, calipers, or micrometers, or with test equipment
- Experience with Python, Power BI, or similar tools for manufacturing metrics and data analysis
- Exposure to AI or LLM tools for documentation or engineering workflows
- IPC-A-610 or IPC/WHMA-A-620 certification; or willingness to obtain
Work Environment
- Based at our headquarters in San Diego, CA
- Candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available where appropriate
- Requires standing and walking for extended periods throughout the workday, frequently moving across the production floor
- Exposure to moderate noise, temperature variation, and typical shop‑floor conditions
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and must be worn as required
Compensation
US Range: $88,000 - $126,000
Benefits & Perks
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
- Unlimited PTO
- 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, plus the 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
Export Control Compliance
To conform to U.S. government export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from