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 Quality, Test & Evaluation (QTE) Engineer to own system‑level testing, build quality control, and deployment readiness for the xCell program. This role works directly with the engineer and cross‑functional engineering teams to ensure xCell systems meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements from initial build through field sustainment.
This position is hands‑on and execution‑driven. You will define how we verify xCell performance, lead acceptance and validation testing, resolve quality issues, and drive continuous improvement into both current and next‑generation xCell designs.
What You’ll Do
- Develop, maintain, and execute system‑level Verification & Validation (V&V) plans, test procedures, and acceptance criteria for xCell platforms.
- Lead build acceptance and system readiness reviews, determining whether units are cleared for deployment or require rework.
- Conduct hands‑on system inspections and functional testing of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and power subsystems.
- Own nonconformance identification, documentation, and resolution, driving corrective actions to closure with Engineering and Operations.
- Perform root cause analysis and define preventive measures that feed back into design and build processes.
- Coordinate supplier quality activities, verifying delivered components and assemblies meet specification and reliability expectations.
- Maintain configuration traceability across system variants, updates, and field retrofits.
- Capture operational and field feedback to guide design improvements in future xCell revisions.
- Support and help lead test readiness and deployment readiness events.
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, Systems, or Industrial Engineering (or related).
- 5–9 years of experience in hardware test, system integration test, or quality engineering roles.
- Demonstrated experience owning test planning, execution, results documentation, and corrective action decision‑making.
- Hands‑on troubleshooting and inspection experience across mechanical and electrical assemblies.
- Comfortable working in integrated build environments and coordinating across engineering, operations, and suppliers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with deployable or containerized systems, environmental controls, or industrial power equipment.
- Familiarity with AS9100, ISO9001, MIL-STD test methods, or government acceptance criteria.
- Experience supporting field testing or operational sustainment activities.
- Engineering Management, PMP, Six Sigma, or reliability engineering certification a plus (not required).
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 lift up to 30 lbs and perform physical system setup and testing tasks.
- Ability to understand and adhere to all company policies, safety standards, and applicable labor regulations.
Compensation
US Salary Range: $142,000 - $183,000 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
- We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long‑term retirement goals
- Equity grants for new hires
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November, & 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.Plus, the option to purchase additional life