Senior Project Engineer, NPI at Firestorm – San Diego, California

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) 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 insurance for you and your family.
• Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.

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 the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce. Equal Opportunity Statement Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at careers@launchfirestorm.com so we can provide the support you need.