Engineering Manager, Simulation 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 builds modular autonomous aircraft designed to adapt across missions, payloads, and deployment environments. Developing and testing those aircraft requires simulation that can evolve just as quickly. 
We are hiring an Engineering Manager to lead the Simulation team and build the software, infrastructure, and tools used to develop, test, train, and demonstrate Firestorm aircaft. 
You will take ownership of an existing simulation capability and grow it into a reusable UAS simulation platform. The team will support interactive developer workflows, automated SIL/HIL testing, scenario orchestration, training, and mission demonstrations across Firestorm aircraft and their variants.  What You’ll Do 

• Lead the Simulation team — Own the team responsible for aircraft simulation infrastructure, tools, models, and integrations. 
• Build the simulation platform — Develop a reusable simulation capability across aircraft, payloads, sensors, propulsion systems, and compute configurations. 
• Enable software development and test — Provide interactive and headless environments used by aircraft software teams and automated SIL/HIL test systems. 
• Build scenario orchestration — Develop tools for defining, configuring, executing, and replaying aircraft and mission scenarios. 
• Scale simulation execution — Build infrastructure for repeatable local, CI, and distributed simulation runs. 
• Integrate the aircraft stack — Connect flight software, autonomy, vehicle models, sensors, actuators, communications, and other aircraft systems into simulation. 
• Support training and demonstrations — Build simulation capabilities that can be used for operator training, mission development, and customer demonstrations. 
• Grow the team — Hire and develop engineers with strong simulation, software, and UAS fundamentals. 

 Required Qualifications 

• 8+ years of software, simulation, robotics, or related engineering experience 
• 3+ years leading software engineering teams 
• U.S. person required due to ITAR regulations
• Hands-on experience building or integrating simulation systems for aircraft, UAS, robotics, or other complex physical systems 
• Experience with Gazebo, JSBSim, AirSim, FlightGear, or similar simulation frameworks 
• Strong C++ and Python or similar software engineering experience 
• Experience with SIL, HIL, or other integrated simulation environments 
• Experience integrating flight software, vehicle models, sensors, actuators, or hardware interfaces into simulation 
• Strong build, packaging, deployment, and distribution of applications across multiple OS. 
• Experience building automated, reproducible simulation or test environments 
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex problems across simulation, software, networking, and hardware boundaries 

 Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, or similar vehicle software platforms 
• Strong understanding of aircraft dynamics, flight controls, sensors, and propulsion 
• Aerospace, defense, UAS, or autonomous-systems experience 

 Work Environment This role is based 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.

 Compensation US Salary Range: $175,000 – $220,000 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 July & 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.