Senior Project Engineer, NPI

Who We Are At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors—regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision “democratized deterrence.” As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost. About the Role Firestorm is seeking a Project Engineer, NPI to drive weekly engineering execution and integration activities across the xCell program. This individual will work directly with the Director of Expeditionary Manufacturing to coordinate engineering progress, manage build readiness, and ensure verification and validation (V&V) activities are executed on schedule and to standard. The Project Engineer will serve as the central point of coordination between xCell Engineering, and operations teams—tracking progress, resolving conflicts, and escalating issues that impact schedule, quality, or readiness. This role combines hands-on technical engagement with structured program coordination to maintain momentum across ongoing builds and sustainment activities while preparing the next generation of xCell systems. What You’ll Do

• Lead weekly engineering progress tracking across design, integration, and production activities.
• Maintain visibility on system build status, test planning, and verification progress, ensuring alignment with program schedules.
• Develop and manage engineering build plans, integration schedules, and V&V readiness checklists.
• Identify and deconflict resource, technical, and scheduling issues across mechanical, electrical, and operations teams.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and installation of hardware and subassemblies.
• Escalate risks, blockers, and dependencies to leadership with clear recommended actions or mitigations.
• Support execution of integration testing and V&V events, including configuration readiness and documentation closeout.
• Maintain configuration control for each xCell unit, ensuring traceability of design updates and system changes.
• Track incorporation of lessons learned, design improvements, and technical feedback from fielded systems into ongoing builds.
• Provide structured weekly reports summarizing progress, risks, and upcoming engineering priorities.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen or U.S. permanent resident capable of obtaining and maintaining a DoD security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or related field).
• 8+ years of relevant engineering or technical project experience, including build and integration planning.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering progress, schedules, and resource coordination.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical systems integration, verification, and validation practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating builds of deployable or containerized systems.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing, environmental systems, or industrial power infrastructure.
• Experience in defense or government programs requiring structured reviews and readiness events.
• PMP certification, MBA, or Engineering Management credentials a plus.

Work Environment

• Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA
• Travel up to 30% (domestic and international) to support supplier visits, deployments, and field operations.
• Ability to understand and adhere to all company policies, safety standards, and applicable labor regulations.

Compensation US Salary Range: $136,000 - $172,000 USD The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve. Benefits & Perks Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
• 401(k) R