Principal Airframe Design Engineer

Firestorm; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Equity grants

Unlimited PTO

Holiday calendar including Nov/Dec

Parental Leave

Life insurance

Mental health resources

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Firestorm is seeking a Principal Airframe Design Engineer in San Diego to lead the mechanical design of UAV airframes across the full product lifecycle. You will own the hardware lifecycle of the airframe and collaborate with electrical, manufacturing, and flight-test teams to deliver high-performance, mass-optimized structures.

You will apply first-order hand calculations and SolidWorks proficiency to drive innovative, manufacturable solutions while mentoring engineers and contributing to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience with aircraft design.
• Proven track record of taking complex mechanical assemblies from concept to production.
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals; structures, fluid systems, thermal management, and mechanisms.
• Hands-on design engineering experience with DFM principles.
• Demonstrated ability to perform structural modeling and hand calculations.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks with surfacing, top-down design, and GD&T knowledge.
• Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical systems (PCBAs, wiring harnesses).
• US citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts for UAV subsystems across the product lifecycle, from concept to production.
• Develop manufacturable airframe designs optimized for UAV performance under varying conditions.
• Analyze mass properties and strength/stiffness targets of aerostructure designs.
• Create and maintain high-quality 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings with GD&T.
• Lead structural design of airframe primary and secondary structures through production.
• Develop structural solutions to optimize weight, cost, and performance.
• Develop structural requirements, test plans (DVP&R), and verification activities.
• Lead and oversee structural testing, analyze test data, generate reports.
• Resolve complex structural issues with robust design solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering standards.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

First-order structural analysis

GD&T

3D CAD

DFM (design for manufacturability)

Job description

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 highly skilled Principal Airframe Design Engineer to join our innovative engineering team in developing next‑generation UAV systems. As an Principal Airframe Design Engineer at Firestorm, you will be responsible for the design and build efforts of critical flight structures and mechanisms within our product line. You will be given ownership for the hardware product lifecycle of the airframe. You will be responsible for the design, analysis, and oversight of manufacturing and validation of primary structure.

In this role, you will play a pivotal role in developing mechanical components and subsystems that satisfy demanding criteria for performance, manufacturability, and cost. Your expertise will bridge advanced aerospace technology and practical engineering as you collaborate cross‑functionally with electrical, manufacturing, and flight‑test teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical and electromechanical systems. In order to be successful in this role, you must be someone who is self‑motivated, adaptable and is able to lead your own projects to completion in a fast‑paced environment. Ideally, you have significant structural airframe design experience and a proven track record completing collaborative projects effectively.

A successful candidate will have proven experience delivering high‑performance, mass‑optimised hardware in rapid development environments, with a strong foundation aircraft mechanical design. Proficiency in 3D CAD and first‑order hand calculation methods will be key to driving innovative solutions that enhance our UAV platform capabilities. As an individual contributor, you will directly influence the technical direction of your designs and help shape engineering best practices across projects. You will be engaged in all phases of the development lifecycle, from early concepts and prototyping through rigorous testing and production, in a fast‑moving, high‑impact setting.

What You’ll Do

• Lead mechanical design efforts for key UAV subsystems across the entire product lifecycle: concept, prototyping, testing, production, and field support.
• Develop innovative, manufacturable airframe designs optimized for UAV flight performance under varying operational conditions, ensuring structural, dynamic, thermal and functional requirements are met through rigorous analysis and validation.
• Analyze initial aerostructure designs against preliminary mass properties targets and strength and stiffness requirements.
• Create and maintain high-quality 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and manufacturing documentation using SolidWorks, emphasizing GD&T principles to ensure precision and manufacturability.
• Lead the structural mechanical design of aircraft primary and secondary structures in the airframe, from initial concept through production.
• Develop and champion innovative structural solutions to optimise weight, cost, and performance.
• Develop structural requirements, specifications, and test plans (DVP&R).
• Review of static & dynamic load inputs, material properties and test results.
• Lead and oversee structural testing, expertly analyze test data, and take ownership of generating detailed test reports.
• Proactively investigate and resolve complex structural issues that arise during development and providing robust design solutions.
• Drive high‑cadence iterative design and analysis cycles, supporting rapid prototyping and cross‑functional design reviews to incorporate test feedback promptly and continuously improve hardware through agile development processes.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with electrical engineers, flight‑test engineers, and manufacturing teams to integrate complex mechanical and electromechanical systems, including servos, pumps, sensors, cameras, PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and connectors.
• Own technical reviews and contribute to design and analysis decisions, ensuring robust engineering practices and adherence to program requirements.
• Support rapid prototyping efforts with hands‑on experience building functional prototypes in a shop environment, iterating designs based on real‑world results and test data.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electromechanical issues through root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
• Contribute to configuration management and documentation control, maintaining clear versioning of CAD files, assemblies, and design revisions.
• Build and maintain engineering rigor by contributing to the development of company‑wide best practices, including CAD standards, documentation protocols, and hardware management processes. Write detailed build documentation and collaborate hands‑on with technicians during hardware integration and assembly.
• Cultivate a high‑performing design culture by mentoring junior and mid‑level engineers, leading technical design reviews, and formalising company‑wide standards for airframe architecture.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft design.
• Proven track record of taking complex mechanical assemblies from concept to production.
• Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals; structures, fluid systems, thermal management, and mechanisms.
• Hands‑on design engineering experience, with proven application of design‑for‑manufacturability (DFM) principles.
• Demonstrated ability to perform structural modeling and analysis of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Proficiency in first‑order structural analysis and hand calculations, including free body diagrams, statics, and mechanics of materials.
• Experience in SolidWorks, including surfacing, top‑down design, and advanced modeling techniques, plus strong knowledge of GD&T principles.
• Experience integrating mechanical designs with electrical systems, including PCBAs, wiring harnesses, and electromechanical components such as servos and sensors.
• Direct application of DFM and designing for additive, traditional, and composite manufacturing methods, including tooling and fixturing for composite assemblies.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, with a proven track record of mentoring junior and mid‑level engineers, conducting rigorous design reviews, and elevating the technical standards of a growing engineering organization.
• U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional mechanical design experience, working directly with aircraft structural design.
• Background supporting the full hardware development lifecycle, including design, prototyping, testing, and production.
• Demonstrated skill in correlating analytical results with physical test data and applying findings to improve design performance.
• Familiarity with configuration management, version control practices for CAD, and engineering documentation control.
• Familiarity with designing injection‑molded components or polymer‑based additive manufacturing techniques.

Work Environment

• Based at our Headquarters in San Diego, CA
• This role requires an on‑site presence
• Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs. and wear appropriate PPE [as required]
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically for testing and demonstrations
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel to various testing locations as needed

Compensation

US Salary Range: $153,000 - $206,000 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 [e-mail] so we can provide the support you need.