Sr. Director of Talent Strategy in San Diego, California at Firestorm

Who We Are 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. About the Role Firestorm is hiring a Director of Talent Strategy to build and lead the recruiting strategy that fuels our next stage of growth. You'll manage a team of full-cycle recruiters, sourcers and build a best-in-class recruiting operation. Additionally, you'll build out Firestorm's high level talent strategy and conduct workforce planning to help accomplish our goals. Lastly, you'll own organizational design, by implementing scalable structures, decision frameworks and operating rhythms. What You’ll Do

• Partner with hiring leaders to turn workforce plans into hiring strategies and proactive pipelines for critical and hard-to-fill roles
• Own full-cycle recruiting across technical, engineering, manufacturing, operations, and leadership roles — and personally carry a req load for senior and business-critical hires
• Raise hiring quality through structured interviews and scorecards while improving time-to-fill, quality-of-hire, and offer-acceptance
• Build and strengthen Firestorm's employer brand and candidate experience to attract mission-driven talent
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of recruiters and coordinators as the function scales
• Optimize the ATS and recruiting tech stack, leveraging AI-enabled sourcing and people analytics; manage agency and vendor relationships
• Ensure compliant hiring across OFCCP, EEO, multi-state, and ITAR/export-control eligibility, partnering with People Ops and Legal
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning and organizational structure
• Build scalable recruiting and talent acquisition approaches aligned with business growth
• Strengthen hiring quality, leadership pipeline development, and succession planning
• Help ensure the organization attracts, develops, and retains high-performing talent
• Establish scalable performance management and talent review processes
• Design scalable organizational structures, decision-making frameworks, and operating rhythms
• Improve cross-functional coordination and organizational clarity
• Identify organizational friction points and scaling risks before they become larger operational issues
• Build systems that support growth while preserving entrepreneurial agility
• Support role clarity, accountability, and leadership consistency across the organization

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
• U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations
• 10+ years of full-cycle talent acquisition experience, including 5+ years leading or building a recruiting team
• Proven success filling technical or specialized roles in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Experience building scalable recruiting processes and infrastructure
• Hands-on experience with ATS platforms, sourcing tools, and recruiting analytics

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in venture-backed, defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or high-growth technology environments
• Experience recruiting for roles requiring U.S. citizenship, clearances, or export-control eligibility
• Familiarity with OFCCP compliance and multi-state hiring
• AIRS, LinkedIn Recruiter, SHRM, or related certification

Work Environment

• This is a hybrid position.
• We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
• Travel up to 10% for recruiting events and hiring fairs.

This position typically operates in a standard office setting and manufacturing environment. This role requires use of standard office equipment and may involve exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, dust, or chemicals (with PPE). The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, and move about regularly throughout the day. Must have manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment. Compensation US Salary Range: $200,000 - $250,000 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.