Senior Aero-Performance Engineer at Firestorm – San Diego, California
Firestorm
San Diego, California, United States
Posted on
Employment Type:Full-Time
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About This Position
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
We are seeking a highly capable Senior Aero-Performance Engineer to join Firestorm’s multidisciplinary engineering team. This role will focus on the development of advanced aero-performance modeling and simulation tool chains, support the architectural development of novel aircraft systems, and provide ongoing design and performance analysis for operational platforms. You will play a central role in both early-stage vehicle design and iterative prototyping cycles. This is a hands-on technical position with opportunities to shape system-level performance trades and directly influence flight test programs.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the development and maintenance of Firestorm’s aero-performance modeling and analysis toolchains.
- Support conceptual and preliminary aircraft design through aerodynamic sizing, performance analysis, and mission-level trade studies.
- Generate and validate aerodynamic models using analytical methods, CFD, wind tunnel testing, and flight data.
- Build and refine aerodynamic and propulsion databases, including 6DOF modeling for simulation environments.
- Work across systems to integrate aero-performance models with propulsion, GNC, mission planning, and structures teams.
- Conduct trade studies and performance sensitivity analyses to guide design optimization.
- Participate in flight test planning and data analysis to validate and refine performance predictions.
- Document results and present findings for internal design reviews and external customer meetings.
- Contribute to the architecture and evolution of Firestorm's aircraft platforms, including Tempest, Hurricane, and other future designs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in aerodynamic analysis and/or aircraft performance modeling.
- Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, including development and maintenance of custom analysis scripts.
- Solid understanding of aircraft design principles, including low- and high-speed aerodynamics, propulsion modeling, and mission-level performance.
- Familiarity with aircraft sizing methodologies and tools (e.g., Raymer, OpenVSP, AVL, SUAVE, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within fast-paced, cross-functional teams.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- U.S. Citizenship is required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDAO), surrogate modeling, or design of experiments (DoE).
- Working knowledge of CFD tools, panel methods, or wind tunnel testing.
- Exposure to sUAS development, especially Group 2–3 aircraft.
- Experience integrating aero-performance models into broader system-of-systems simulations.
- Familiarity with software tools such as OpenMDAO, XFOIL, DATCOM, or proprietary M&S frameworks.
- Experience developing internally deployed engineering tools with version control and structured testing.
Work Environment
- Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
- We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating. Relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
- This role requires an on-site presence.
- Occasional travel may be required (up to 20%)
Compensation
US Salary Range: $145,000 - $175,000 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
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely 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, 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.
ITAR Compliance
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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.
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.
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Job Location
San Diego, California, United States
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