Operations Liaison

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Equity grants for new hires

Unlimited PTO

Parental Leave

Job summary

Firestorm, based in San Diego, CA, seeks an Operations Liaison to align design changes, production priorities, and program commitments across Engineering, Manufacturing, and the Program Office. You will track build status, coordinate changes, and support issue resolution to keep programs on schedule.

Ideal candidates have a engineering degree and 2–5 years in aerospace/defense manufacturing, with strong communication and ITAR eligibility. Relocation assistance may be offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; equivalent experience accepted.
• 2–5 years in manufacturing engineering, production support, or aerospace/defense engineering.
• Working knowledge of engineering drawings, BOMs, and configuration control.
• Familiarity with production processes and shop-floor operations.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across functions.
• U.S. citizenship for ITAR-controlled work and security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engineering changes (ECOs/ECNs) and communicate impact to Manufacturing and the Program Office.
• Track build status, production readiness, and line loading against schedules.
• Support production prioritization across competing programs.
• Identify and help resolve issues between Engineering and Manufacturing; escalate when needed.
• Maintain build documentation, drawings, and work instructions aligned with configuration.

Skills

Strong communication

Cross-functional work

Security clearance eligibility

Citizenship/ITAR awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Aerospace/Manufacturing/Industrial)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

PLM tools

AS9100 quality systems

CDRLs/FAI/DD250

Job description

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

The Operations Liaison is the link between Engineering, Manufacturing, and the Program Office. This role makes sure design changes, production priorities, and program delivery commitments remain aligned. The Liaison tracks build status, coordinates engineering changes, and resolves day-to-day issues between teams so programs stay on schedule.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate engineering changes (ECOs/ECNs) and communicate their impact to Manufacturing and the Program Office


• Track build status, production readiness, and line loading against program delivery schedules


• Support production prioritization across competing programs


• Identify and help resolve issues between Engineering and Manufacturing, escalating when needed


• Keep build documentation, drawings, and work instructions current and aligned with the approved configuration


• Support first article inspection (FAI), final inspection, and acceptance testing readiness


• Report production status, issues, and risks at program reviews


• Support root cause and corrective action (RCCA) efforts for production nonconformances

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial) or related field, or equivalent experience


• 2–5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production support, or engineering in an aerospace or defense environment


• Working knowledge of engineering drawings, BOMs, and configuration control


• Familiarity with production processes and shop-floor operations


• Strong communication skills and ability to work across functions


• U.S. citizenship, as required for ITAR-controlled work and security clearance eligibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAS, aircraft, or electromechanical systems


• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and PLM tools


• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems


• Exposure to defense program requirements such as CDRLs, FAI, and DD250 acceptance

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

Compensation

US Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000 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 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 [e-mail] so we can provide the support you need.